TRANSPORT

Railways

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received from the ORR with regard to enforcement orders following breaches of the network licence; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: holding answer 2 July 2002
	The Regulator has made no such representations. The Regulator has identified a number of areas where Railtrack is currently not complying with the requirements of Condition 7 of its Network Licence. These are detailed in his statement published on 27 June 2002 on the proposed acquisition of Railtrack PLC by Network Rail Limited. The statement explains what regulatory action is being taken in respect of each area of non-compliance and sets out the Regulator's expected approach to the regulation of Network Rail.

London Underground

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much (a) Metronet and (b) its sponsors are due to be paid in (i) development costs, (ii) risk capital costs, (iii) financial and legal advice costs and (iv) bank and loan insurance costs by London Underground upon signing of contracts; what independent assessment (A) has been and (B) will be made of the validity of Metronet's financial claims; whether Tube Lines and its sponsors will be entitled to further payments beyond money it is due to receive in success fees; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: holding answer 27 June 2002
	London Underground will make payments to the infrastructure companies in line with the service they deliver. Both the preferred bidders, Metronet and Tube Lines Group, have developed their bids on the basis that over the lifetime of the contracts they will recover the costs they incur in enhancing and maintaining the Tube, plus associated finance costs, including a return on their direct financial investment—the level of this return will depend on the level of service delivered. Their bids also allow for their recovering the sums they have invested in developing their bids. This is perfectly normal commercial practice. Such sums include costs incurred directly by the bidders, costs associated with raising finance and fees paid to their financial, legal and other advisers.
	These costs will be verified by London Underground before they can be recovered by the bidders. The Government would risk undermining London Underground's commercial position if they were to prejudge the results of this verification by estimating the level of such costs that might ultimately be recovered.

Green Minister

Sue Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport who his Department's green Minister is; when they (a) have attended and (b) plan to attend meetings of the Green Ministers' Committee; what the outcomes of meetings were for his Department's activities; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Bath (Mr. Foster) on 26 June 2002, Official Report, column 882W. I am the Department for Transport's Green Minister and was appointed to ENV(G) on 24 June 2002.
	Following the General Election in June 2001, the previously informal Green Ministers Committee was upgraded to a Cabinet Sub-Committee of ENV and it is established practice under exemption two of Part II of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information not to disclose information relating to the proceedings of Cabinet Committees. Therefore I cannot relate progress or outcomes by my Department to anything that has been discussed.

Track Renewals

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research (a) has been conducted and (b) is planned (i) by and (ii) for his Department and the Strategic Rail Authority on the impact on track renewals of (A) increased train weights and (B) increased volume of rail traffic on the network; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: This is an operational matter for the railway industry primarily Railtrack with the train operating companies, freight operating companies and the rolling stock companies. The industry created in May 2001 the Wheel Rail Interface Steering Authority (WRISA) to provide a cross industry forum to advise on matters such as this.

Roadworks

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information has been collated, (a) by and (b) for (i) his Department and (ii) the Highways Agency regarding roadworks taking place over the next 12 months; what the cost is of each contract; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: The Department does not collate information on local authority schemes.
	Work on the motorway and trunk road network is the responsibility of the Highways Agency. Small scale works are delivered by the Agency's managing agents and term maintenance contractors. Larger works are delivered through individual contracts but because these are still being planned in detail, the Agency cannot say how many individual contracts there will be nor what the value of those contracts will be.
	But overall, in the financial year 2002–03 the Agency plans to spend some £740 million on maintaining the motorway and trunk road network. This compares to £692 million last year, which included the resurfacing of 1793 lane kilometres of carriageway and remedial works on 487 bridges. A further £242 million will be spent this year on schemes to make better use of the existing network. This compares to £190 million last year, which included completion of 164 safety local network management schemes.
	In addition, the Agency will spend some £700 million in 2002–03 on delivering the Government's Targeted Programme of Improvements.

NATS

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what services NATS provides to aircraft outside controlled airspace.

David Jamieson: Outside controlled airspace there is no requirement on NATS to provide a control service, but certain services may be available including:
	1. Flight Information Services providing aeronautical information relevant to the safe conduct of the flight, including meteorological information and the status of navigation aids provided by NATS;
	2. Radar Information Services providing pilots with information on the position of other aircraft;
	3. Radar Advisory Services providing information on actions to avoid potential conflicts; and
	4. NATS also supports emergency related services operated by the Ministry of Defence and participates in the Lower Airspace Radar Service (LARS).

NATS

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the right of NATS to refuse to provide IFR to an aircraft outside controlled airspace while charging for that service.

David Jamieson: Under the terms of its licence from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), NATS is not required to provide the full range of air navigation services from all units, and issues such as capacity, radar performance and weather may influence the ability of controllers to provide a service.

10-Year Plan

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the priority projects in the 10 year plan which he estimates will be completed by 2010.

David Jamieson: The 10 Year Plan makes clear that decisions on individual projects will flow from the plans and programmes of a range of delivery agencies, subject to the normal decision-making and appraisal processes.

Roads (At-Work Accidents)

Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will request the Health and Safety Commission to include among its targets contained in the Revitalising Health and Safety strategy a requirement to reduce the number of at work accidents each year on the roads.

David Jamieson: The Government and the Health and Safety Commission set out long term strategic targets for health and safety in the Revitalising Health and Safety Statement of June 2000, after extensive consultation. The targets are deliberately broad based covering all occupational health risks, other than work related traffic accidents. These are included within the Governments Road Safety Strategy which aims to reduce all deaths and serious injuries on our roads by 40 per cent. by 2010. There are no plans to revise the Revitalising targets at the current time.

Road Safety

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the trend of (a) fatalities and (b) serious injuries in traffic accidents in towns and cities over the last five years.

John Spellar: holding answer 1 July 2002
	The provisional results for 2001 indicate that there were 1,409 deaths on roads in Britain with a speed limit of 40mph or less, which generally indicates they are in built-up areas. This was five less than in 2000 but more than in 1998 and 1999, and 61 (4.1 per cent.) less than in 1997. The number of serious injuries on such roads has reduced each year since 1997. The 22,742 serious injuries in 2001 was 14 per cent. less than in 1997.

Road Safety

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent research he has carried out with regard to the potential costs and benefits of the use of 20 mph zones in urban areas; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: holding answer 2 July 2002
	The financial cost of a 20mph zone is dependent on the size of the zone and the type of traffic calming measures implemented to achieve the desired speed reduction.
	A TRL report, "Review of traffic calming schemes in 20mph zones" (TRL Report 215), published in 1996, found that the average annual accident frequency fell by around 60 per cent. Child pedestrian and child cyclist accidents fell by around 70 per cent. and 48 per cent. respectively. This gives an overall reduction of 67 per cent. for all child accidents.
	In addition, a well designed 20mph zone can be instrumental in improving the quality of life for local people by protecting them from inappropriate speed.

Channel Tunnel Rail Link

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what control the Government have over the sale of the CTRL to LCR; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: holding answer 2 July 2002
	The Government have no controls with which they could require the sale of Railtrack's interests in CTRL to London and Continental Railways (LCR) and Network Rail. They do have various controls over LCR's financing arrangements some of which are relevant to the sale.

Channel Tunnel Rail Link

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of section 1 of the CTRL is complete; on what date it is (a) due to be and (b) expected to be (i) completed and (ii) open; and what its expected final cost is.

David Jamieson: holding answer 2 July 2002
	Section 1 is currently 87 per cent. complete. It is expected to be completed in September 2003, and should be ready and able to run Eurostar services in October 2003, which is within schedule.
	It is expected to be completed within its £1.9 billion budget.

Channel Tunnel Rail Link

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the estimated value is of the Channel tunnel rail link owned by Railtrack.

David Jamieson: holding answer 2 July 2002
	London and Continental Railways (LCR) and Network Rail have made a combined offer of £375 million for Railtrack's interests in the Channel tunnel rail link. This is the estimated value which has emerged from negotiations between the parties.

Network Rail

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the funding necessary to operate the railway network as a going concern; and if he will provide a breakdown.

David Jamieson: holding answer 25 June 2002
	I refer the hon. Member to the Statement made to the House by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport, on 27 June 2002 Official Report, column 971, about Network Rail.

Network Rail

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on what date he was notified by the Office of Fair Trading that the Network Rail proposal will not be referred to the Competition Commission.

David Jamieson: holding answer 2 July 2002
	The Office of Fair Trading has yet to put its recommendation to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry as to whether or not the Network Rail proposal should be referred to the Competition Commission.

Network Rail

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport by what mechanism the board Network Rail will be held accountable to the members of Network Rail.

David Jamieson: holding answer 2 July 2002
	Network Rail will be run on a commercial basis and members will have rights similar to shareholders. These include approving the appointment of directors and holding them to account, ensuring high standards of corporate governance, receiving regular reports on company performance and attending general meetings.

Network Rail

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what date the bridging loans for Network Rail will (a) commence and (b) are due for repayment.

David Jamieson: holding answer 2 July 2002
	I refer the hon. Member to paragraph 13 of the Statutory Contingent Liability minute laid before Parliament on 27 June 2002.

Network Rail

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the budgeted level of funding available to Network Rail from the Government to cover future liabilities and unexpected expenditures.

David Jamieson: holding answer 2 July 2002
	I refer the hon. Member to the statement made to the House by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State on 27 June 2002, Official Report, columns 971–73.

Network Rail

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give the proposed modifications to the notes in connection with the Network Rail proposal; and if he will make a statement on the note holders passing a resolution to authorise the modification of the terms and conditions of the notes.

David Jamieson: holding answer 2 July 2002
	This is a matter for Network Rail.

Network Rail

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give the proposed modifications to the bonds in connection with the Network Rail proposal; and if he will make a statement on each class of bondholder passing a resolution to authorise the modification of the terms and conditions of the bonds.

David Jamieson: holding answer 2 July 2002
	These are matters for Network Rail.

Network Rail

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  if he will list the banks involved in the bridging finance for Network Rail;
	(2)  if he will publish the terms of the loans associated with the bridging finance for Network Rail.

David Jamieson: holding answer 2 July 2002
	The banks providing bridging finance for Network Rail are listed in the annex to the draft comfort letter entitled "Network Rail Bridging Finance", which was presented to the House on 27 June with a minute detailing non-statutory contingent liabilities in support of Network Rail Ltd. Details of the bridge financing are a matter for Network Rail.

Network Rail

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish the organisation structure of Network Rail.

David Jamieson: holding answer 2 July 2002
	This is a matter for Network Rail.

Network Rail

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the status of railway safety will be under the Network Rail structure.

David Jamieson: holding answer 3 July 2002
	Railway Safety would be acquired by Network Rail from Railtrack Group PLC. It is Network Rail's intention to hold Railway Safety as a separate subsidiary pending its replacement by the new rail industry safety body. The Rail Regulator is now consulting on the establishment of such a body.

Network Rail

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will be publishing a revised version of (a) the SRA plan and (b) the 10-year plan to take into account the change from Railtrack to Network Rail.

David Jamieson: holding answer 2 July 2002
	Our Directions and Guidance to the SRA require it to publish an updated Strategic Plan in January 2003. We are intending to publish a progress report on the 10-year plan in due course.

Network Rail

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the new (a) statutory powers and (b) other powers that he has over the management of the rail network under the Newtrack Rail arrangements.

David Jamieson: holding answer 2 July 2002
	My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will have no new statutory or other powers over the management of the rail network as a result of Network Rail's proposals.

Railtrack

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on what date he authorised the change in control of Railtrack; and if he will publish the authorisation.

David Jamieson: holding answer 2 July 2002
	Network Rail has not yet asked my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to authorise the change of control.

Railtrack

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assurances have been given that the existing employment rights, including pension rights, of employees of Railtrack plc will be safeguarded by the sale of Railtrack plc to Network Rail.

David Jamieson: holding answer 2 July 2002
	Network Rail has stated publicly that the existing terms and conditions, including pension rights, of Railtrack PLC employees will be safeguarded.

Railtrack

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish information required by Railtrack Group in order to enable it to identify whether adjusting post balance sheet events have occurred that would require amendments to the figures reported on 27 June by Railtrack Group.

David Jamieson: holding answer 2 July 2002
	This is a matter for Railtrack Group and its auditors, taking account of the sale and purchase agreements entered into by Railtrack Group with Network Rail and with London and Continental Railways (LCR).

Railtrack

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether Railtrack Group is required to purchase section one of the CTRL at its net cost.

David Jamieson: holding answer 2 July 2002
	Railtrack Group is obliged to purchase section one of the CTRL at the actual out-turn construction cost including financing costs and net of Government grants received.

Strategic Rail Authority

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list (a) the SRA's expenditure for the last year, including their provisions for liabilities and charges and (b) the SRA's budget for 2002–03, including budgeted provisions for liabilities and charges.

David Jamieson: holding answer 2 July 2002
	The SRA's expenditure for 2001–02 will be set out in its annual report which will be laid before the House in due course. The Government's 2002–03 spending plans for railways are summarised in the 2002 annual report for the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions.

Halcrow

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what fee was paid to Halcrow for the SWARMMS report.

David Jamieson: The total cost of the London to South West and South Wales Multi-Modal Study (SWARMMS) is £1.812 million (excluding VAT). This figure includes the cost of producing the final report.

Rural Transport

Malcolm Moss: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if the Government have met their target to have a rural transport partnership in every rural county in England.

David Jamieson: A rural transport partnership has now been established by the Countryside Agency in every predominantly rural county and unitary authority in England.

Risk Assessments

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans the Government have (a) to ensure that UK companies comply with the terms of the European framework directive 89/391 and (b) to remove the proviso, as far as is reasonably practicable in respect of risk assessments from the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

David Jamieson: holding answer 2 July 2002
	The Government will continue to take a range of measures to ensure compliance with the framework directive, including guidance on the legislation implementing the directive, and enforcement of the legislation in proportion to risks to people's health and safety.
	The term
	'so far as is reasonably practicable' is key to the risk control system embodied in UK health and safety legislation. The Government have no plans to remove it.

Car Use

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures he is taking to encourage workers to make less use of their cars to travel to work.

David Jamieson: In February 2001 we awarded 111 bursaries to 84 local authorities at a cost of £9 million over three years, to fund travel plan co-ordinators to work with schools and businesses on the development of local measures to reduce reliance on the car. We have also set up a programme of free site-specific advice from a panel of consultants to assist schools, businesses and other organisations in developing their travel plans. We also commission guides, seminars and other forms of advice and support. In addition local authorities have powers under the Transport Act 2000 to introduce a levy on work place parking, subject to the approval of the Secretary of State.

Public Transport Costs

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the average cost of (a) community transport and (b) public bus services was in (i) 1991, (ii) 1994, (iii) 1997 and (iv) 2000, broken down by region.

David Jamieson: Information on community transport schemes is not held centrally.
	On public local bus services the average cost to the passenger, in terms of pence per journey in each of the years, in each Government Office Region, is summarised.
	
		
			   Pence per passenger journey(1)  
			 Government region  2000–01 1997–98 1994–95 1991–92 
		
		
			 London 50 50 50 46 
			 East 93 90 87 88 
			 South East 88 84 84 85 
			 South West 93 80 80 73 
			 East Midlands 75 72 71 62 
			 North East 70 62 61 51 
			 North West 73 70 66 60 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 70 72 59 55 
			 West Midlands 59 56 57 53 
		
	
	(1) At 2000–01 prices

Committee Mandates

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the mandate of the Advisory Committee on the development and reconversion of regions is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement.

Patricia Hewitt: holding answer 15 May 2002
	I have been asked to reply.
	The mandate for this Committee is set out in Article 48 of Council Regulation (EC) 1260/1999 laying down general provisions on the Structural Funds. The Committee acts as a Management Committee and deals with issues arising from the implementation of the Structural Funds and particularly the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) under 12/60/1999 and related Regulations. The Committee is also mandated to act as a consultative committee to establish and revise the list of areas eligible under Objective 2, discuss the Community Support Frameworks and Single Programming Documents for Objectives 1 and 2, and discuss issues arising from the allocation of technical assistance to the programmes.
	The Committee has met nine times over the last 12 months. My Department, which has co-ordinating responsibility for the Structural Funds in the UK, sends one representative to the Committee. Other Departments with responsibility for the ERDF, and the Devolved Administrations, are also invited. On average the UK's representation is three officials. It is not possible to calculate the cost to public funds of the Committee without incurring disproportionate cost.
	The Committee is currently discussing a range of issues linked to implementation of the Structural Funds, particularly simplification of administration while retaining accountability and transparency.
	Together with member states, the Commission is currently conducting a review to bring existing legislation on the conduct of comitology committees into line with Council Decision 1999/468/EC, to
	"simplify the requirements for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission".
	As an obligation to this decision, the Commission undertook to publish an annual report on the working of the Committees. The first report was deposited in the Libraries of both Houses on 26 February (COM(2001)783 Final).
	As part of the review process, the UK Government have encouraged the Commission to produce and maintain an electronic database of every comitology Committee, its agendas and recent actions, to be accessible through its web site.

Housing Benefits

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many complaints about housing benefits were received by the local government ombudsman in 2001–02, broken down by area.

Tony McNulty: I have been asked to reply.
	Housing benefit complaints received by the local government ombudsman in 2001–02 broken down by Government regions were;
	North West—252
	North East—27
	Yorkshire and Humber—263
	East Midlands—96
	London—1,802
	East of England—84
	West Midlands—268
	South East—105
	South West—99
	Total—2,996.
	The distribution of these cases between offices of the local government ombudsman was as follows:
	London—1,097
	Coventry—1,050
	York—849.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Campaigners for Fair Trade

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many representations she has received from Campaigners for Fair Trade since 19 June; and if she will make a statement.

Patricia Hewitt: holding answer 3 July 2002
	The creation of a free and fair trading system is at the heart of the Government's international trade policy. My Department has received 242 representations on fair trade since 19 June.

General Agreement on Trade in Services

Julia Drown: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what her Department's policy is on the inclusion of water in the General Agreement on Trade in Services.

Patricia Hewitt: In principle, my Department believes that no service sector should be excluded from the General Agreement on Trade in Services a priori. This includes water collection, purification and distribution services. Water as a natural resource is not a service and is not covered by the GATS.

Export Credits Guarantee Department

Simon Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of the guarantee put up by the ECGD for investment in the power generating sector (a) was used fully, (b) was recovered by the ECGD, (c) is still owed to the ECGD and (d) is counted as foreign debt; and which countries have had that debt in each year since 1992–93.

Patricia Hewitt: The following table lists for financial years 1992–93 onwards; the countries where ECGD has supported projects recorded in the civil power and civil energy sectors, the original value of the guarantee(s), the amount of those guarantee(s) still at risk, and claims outstanding in respect of those projects. Amounts at risk are not owing to ECGD but represent amounts which have not yet fallen due for payment.
	
		£ million 
		
			 Country Guarantee amount Residual amount at risk 31 March 2002 Claims outstanding 31 March 2002 
		
		
			 1992–93
			 China 34.7 7.8 — 
			 Greece 67.3 0 — 
			 Hong Kong 895.5 281 — 
			 India 101.6 30.8 — 
			 Indonesia 2.3 0 — 
			 South Africa 7.7 0 — 
			 Turkey 2.5 0 — 
			 
			 1993–94
			 Bangladesh 3 0 — 
			 Canada 3 0 — 
			 China 38.9 12.9 — 
			 Dubai 8 0 — 
			 Germany 11.7 0 — 
			 Hong Kong 314.2 0 — 
			 India 87.4 23.6 — 
			 Indonesia 92 33.7 12.4 
			 Lesotho 7.8 3.8 — 
			 Morocco 31.6 5.3 — 
			 Oman 69.5 0 — 
			 Pakistan 6 0 — 
			 Singapore 181.8 35.2 — 
			 United States 11.6 0 — 
			 
			 1994–95
			 Argentina 7 0 — 
			 Canada 5.1 0 — 
			 China 15.3 1.6 — 
			 Ghana 2.9 0 — 
			 Hong Kong 23.4 0 — 
			 India 142.4 58.5 — 
			 Indonesia 83.3 60.5 — 
			 Lebanon 52.7 21.1 — 
			 Oman 29.6 11.4 — 
			 Saint Kitts and Nevis 0.7 0 — 
			 Singapore 29.6 7.9 — 
			 South Africa 0 0 — 
			 Thailand 17.1 11.7 — 
			 Turkey 3.6 0 — 
			 
			 1995–96
			 China 196.4 0 — 
			 India 63.4 30.2 — 
			 Indonesia 112.6 26.7 5.8 
			 Japan 4.4 0 — 
			 Lebanon 7.2 0 — 
			 Lesotho 7.2 0 — 
			 Philippines 444.6 376.5 — 
			   
			 1996–97
			 China 143.7 2.4 — 
			 Hong Kong 2.4 0 — 
			 India 78.7 0.8 — 
			 Lesotho 1.4 0 — 
			 Oman 40.3 0 — 
			 Pakistan 0.3 0 — 
			 Qatar 199.2 184.2 — 
			 Romania 0.5 0 — 
			 Turkey 48.9 45.3 — 
			 
			 1997–98
			 Brazil 71.8 35.9 — 
			 India 0 0 — 
			 Indonesia 60.2 40.1 3.4 
			 Lebanon 17 3.7 — 
			 Oman 521.6 0 — 
			 Romania 0.1 0 — 
			 Russian Federation 43.2 31.3 — 
			 South Africa 57.5 4.7 — 
			 Thailand 6.4 1 — 
			 Zimbabwe 8.5 5.7 1.5 
			 
			 1998–99
			 Anguilla 1 0.3 — 
			 Brazil 65 27.3 — 
			 China 421.3 412.7 — 
			 Columbia 34.2 26 — 
			 Cyprus 7.4 1.3 — 
			 India 22.9 20.6 — 
			 Malaysia 0 18.6 — 
			 Mexico 14.7 8.1 — 
			 Saint Kitts and Nevis 8.7 5.4 — 
			 Turkey 25 15 — 
			 United Arab Emirates 7.7 0 — 
			 Venezuela 52.3 50.3 — 
			 
			 1999–2000
			 Hong Kong 12.4 11.3 — 
			 India 96.6 41.5 — 
			 Malaysia 773.1 718.7 — 
			 Mexico 101.5 62.7 — 
			 Philippines 83.3 76.7 — 
			 Taiwan 136.7 136.7 — 
			 Vietnam 23.8 23.8 — 
			 
			 2000–01
			 Bangladesh 7.9 5.7 — 
			 China 1.4 1.4 — 
			 Dominican Republic 24.5 24.5 — 
			 Mexico 8.9 7.3 — 
			 Taiwan 17.6 17.6 — 
			 Thailand 3.6 3.6 — 
			 Turkey 67.3 63.7 —

Export Credits Guarantee Department

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what work is being carried out by (a) the Government and (b) external organisations on behalf of the Government concerning the Export Credits Guarantee Department that quantifies the value of contracts entered into by the ECGD on (i) an option pricing approach and (ii) a pricing model using the approach commonly used to price credit derivatives.

Patricia Hewitt: holding answer 3 July 2002
	With a view to following best practice, ECGD reviews regularly its approach to measuring, modelling and pricing risk, with advice from external organisations where appropriate, but has no plans to engage in work corresponding to the areas specified in the question.

Arms Exports

Sue Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the level is of debt owed by developing countries to the Export Credits Guarantee Department as a result of UK defence-related sales.

Patricia Hewitt: For business underwritten by ECGD since 1991, the following amounts are outstanding in respect of ECGD claims payments in cases involving exports of defence equipment. Information on claims on business underwritten before 1991 is not held on a sectoral basis. Amounts outstanding on Algeria and Indonesia have been rescheduled through the Paris Club.
	
		£ million 
		
			  Market Claims Outstanding (as at 31 March 2002) 
		
		
			 Algeria 0.1 
			 Indonesia 488 
			 Zimbabwe 0.9

Arms Exports

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations have been made to her Department regarding the increases of national debt in (a) India and (b) Pakistan due to the importation of weapons from the United Kingdom in (i) each year since 1999 and (ii) January to June 2002.

Nigel Griffiths: The Department of Trade and Industry's Export Control Organisation has received representations regarding the export of arms and other items controlled for strategic reasons to India and Pakistan from a number of different sources, including Members of Parliament and the general public. It is not possible to say whether any of these concerned increases in national debt in India and Pakistan, as the information requested is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Arms Exports

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps she takes to assess conformity with the EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports during the evaluation of arms export licence applications.

Mike O'Brien: I have been asked to reply.
	The Government announced the consolidation of the UK national export licensing criteria with those in the EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports in a statement by my right hon. Friend the Member for Neath (Peter Hain) on 26 October 2000, Official Report, column 199–203W. We assess all applications on a case-by-case basis against these consolidated criteria. In doing so, we take account of reliable evidence, including, for example, reporting from diplomatic posts, relevant reports by international bodies, intelligence and information from open sources and non-governmental organisations. In addition, the EU Code of Conduct requires member states to inform partners of licence refusals under the EU Code through the circulation of denial notifications. The code requires member states to consult partners before approving a licence for a transaction refused by those partners. This helps further to ensure conformity within the EU when assessing export licence applications.

Arms Exports

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Guildford (Sue Doughty) of 24 June 2002, Official Report, column 684W, on arms exports, which countries received export credit guarantee coverage for arms sales in each of the last five years; and how much export credit guarantee coverage each country received.

Patricia Hewitt: holding answer 3 July 2002
	The table shows for financial years 1996–97 to 2000–01, the markets where ECGD has provided support for the export of defence equipment and the maximum liability of the guarantees issued for each market.
	
		
			  Year/market ECGD maximum liability (£ million) 
		
		
			 1996–97  
			 Australia 0.9 
			 Bahrain 1.4 
			 Indonesia 148.2 
			 Korea, Republic of 13.6 
			 Lithuania 1.5 
			 Qatar 5.5 
			 Saudi Arabia 225 
			 Turkey 2 
			   
			 1997–98  
			 Egypt 8.8 
			 Germany 1.3 
			 Greece 18.7 
			 Indonesia 18.6 
			 Italy 2.7 
			 Korea, Republic of 62.4 
			 Kuwait 55.7 
			 Lithuania 2.9 
			 Oman 0.9 
			 Qatar 193.2 
			 Saudi Arabia 225 
			 Singapore 18.6 
			 Thailand 27.3 
			 Turkey 35.6 
			 United Arab Emirates 9.8 
			 United States 58.3 
			   
			 1998–99  
			 Brazil 29.3 
			 Brunei Darussalam 580.3 
			 India 14.3 
			 Indonesia 9.7 
			 Italy 1.5 
			 Korea, Republic of 19.7 
			 Malaysia 16.2 
			 Oman 21.1 
			 Saudi Arabia 1,000 
			 Sweden 4 
			 United States 6.9 
			   
			 1999–2000  
			 Chile 2 
			 Greece 5.4 
			 Kuwait 29.7 
			 Malaysia 123.2 
			 Oman 226.4 
			 Saudi Arabia 1,000 
			 Turkey 214.9 
			   
			 2000–01  
			 Greece 55.3 
			 Saudi Arabia 1,000 
			 South Africa 1,624.7

Trade Partners UK

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what role Trade Partners UK has in connection with defence equipment exhibitions in the UK and overseas; and if she will make a statement.

Patricia Hewitt: holding answer 3 July 2002
	Government support for defence related exports remain the responsibility of the Defence Export Services Organisation (DESO). Trade Partners UK activities support DESO where appropriate in overseas markets. Support for defence equipment exhibitions overseas is available through Trade Partners UK's Support for Exports and Seminars Abroad (SESA) and Inward Missions schemes.

Defence Equipment (Export Credits)

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the outstanding amounts of ECGD guarantees were in respect of defence equipment, broken down by country, for financial year 2001–02.

Patricia Hewitt: holding answer 19 June 2002
	The table lists amounts outstanding as at 31 March 2002 in respect of ECGD guarantees for exports of defence-related equipment. These figures, which are net of sums already repaid, are made up of future maturities (amounts yet to fall due for payment) and claims outstanding. Claims outstanding are in respect of business underwritten from 1991 onwards as ECGD does not hold claims information on cases supported before this date on a sectoral basis.
	
		£ million 
		
			 Market ECGD amount outstanding  
		
		
			 Algeria 0.1 
			 Brazil 27 
			 Brunei Darussalam 204 
			 Chile 17.1 
			 Egypt 10.4 
			 Greece 62.3 
			 India 8.3 
			 Indonesia 694.4 
			 Italy 4.2 
			 Korea, Republic of 21.4 
			 Kuwait 7 
			 Lithuania 0.7 
			 Malaysia 104.9 
			 Oman 315 
			 Qatar 36.2 
			 Saudi Arabia 1,000 
			 South Africa 860.6 
			 Spain 23 
			 Sweden 4.1 
			 Thailand 2.9 
			 Turkey 237.7 
			 United States 38 
			 Zimbabwe 0.9

Engineering

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps she is taking to tackle the gender inequality in salaries for (a) full time and (b) part time employees in the engineering sector.

Patricia Hewitt: The Government are already taking a number of steps to further reduce the pay gap between men and women which currently stands at 18 per cent., for full-time workers, down from the figure of 20 per cent. in 1997.
	As well as the introduction of the national minimum wage and the provisions in the Employment Bill, the Fair Pay Champions and Castle Awards are helping to spread good practice on equal pay. All Government Departments are committed to carrying out a pay review by March 2003 and we are also taking forward recommendations from the Kingsmill Report.
	80 per cent. of Britain's 6 million part-time workers are women. The Part-Time Workers Regulations, introduced in July 2000, ensure that part-timers are no longer treated as second class citizens. The regulations establish a minimum standard of fairness for part-timers so that they can no longer be treated less favourably than the full-timers they work alongside. The regulations cover conditions such as pay, pensions, training and holidays.
	The Equal Opportunities Commission is developing practical tools for employers wishing to investigate their pay systems such as an Equal Pay Review model; a Code of Practice, Guidance Notes and an Opportunity Now/Equal Pay Forum.
	I have no separate proposals to tackle gender inequality in salaries for professionals in the engineering sector where figures in the year 2000 showed that the gender pay gap was also 18 per cent.

Industrial Support

Tony Colman: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how the methodology her Department uses to allocate industrial support resources, including staff and direct financial investment, takes into account the growth potential of industrial sectors.

Patricia Hewitt: Following the DTI review, we are strengthening our analytical capability to ensure our resources are targeted on those parts of the economy which will contribute most to driving up UK productivity and competitiveness and where our support will make the greatest difference. In deciding resource allocations a range of factors is considered, including growth indicators.

Amraf Training Plc

Mark Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent action she has taken in respect of Amraf Training plc.

Patricia Hewitt: None.
	A winding-up order was made against Amraf Training plc on 30 May 2002 following the company going into administration. The administrators were subsequently appointed to be the joint liquidators.
	The Official Receiver at Southend-on-Sea is investigating the causes of the company's failure, but the investigations are at an early stage. Matters of concern may be addressed to her at: 4th Floor, Central House, 8 Clifftown Road, Southend-on-Sea, SS1 1AB.

Amraf Training Plc

Mark Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what payments were made to Amraf Training plc in (a) 2000–01 and (b) 2001–02 for the provision of training courses.

Patricia Hewitt: We have identified no payments made by the Department of Trade and Industry to Amraf Training plc.

False Accounting

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action her Department is taking to ensure that examples of false accounting in the USA are not repeated in the UK; and if she will make a statement.

Melanie Johnson: The UK has well-developed and internationally respected arrangements for setting and enforcing accounting and auditing standards, both of which are vital to the preparation of company accounts which show a 'true and fair' view. There were substantial changes for the better to both accounting and auditing standards during the 1990s.
	It would be unwise, however, to conclude that serious concerns over particular company accounts could not arise in the UK, or that more regulation can prevent all possibilities of false accounting.
	There are a number of relevant actions in hand, which build on the existing position. A group, which I chair together with my hon. Friend, the Financial Secretary, was formed in February to co-ordinate the response of key regulators to the issues for accounting, auditing and aspects of corporate governance raised initially in the aftermath of Enron. The group will produce an interim report by the end of July.
	In addition, the Government will publish shortly their response to the company law review, which made a number of relevant recommendations to improve company reporting. The Government have also set up a review of the role and effectiveness of non-executive directors under Derek Higgs, which is expected to report around the end of the year.
	It is also important, as we move with our EU partners to adopt international accounting standards for 2005, that none of the strength of existing UK requirements is lost. The Government therefore welcome the leading role which the UK Accounting Standards Board is playing in the development of international standards; and the determination of the International Board under Sir David Tweedie to ensure that there are rigorous international standards in place by 2005.

Investment (Coventry)

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action the Government have taken to attract businesses to Coventry since 1997.

Patricia Hewitt: Over the last five years more than 270 companies have invested in Coventry for the first time, creating over 11,400 jobs. Coventry is home to more than 130 overseas-owned companies which have taken advantage of the many opportunities offered by the City.
	Growth in value-added R&D activity has seen major investment and modernisation from companies such as Yachiyo, Denso, Edscha, Eu-Matic, Mission Foods, Peugeot, Jaguar and others which have all benefited from the wide employment opportunities in the area, and received support from local, regional and national Government schemes. Eu-Matic's investment was the first inward investment announced under the new Labour Government in 1997 and their 132,000 sq ft, purpose-built factory on seven acres at Coventry Business Park was completed in January 1999. This £17 million investment was supported by a Regional Selective Assistance grant of £2.5 million.
	Other investments have seen a new HQ for AAH Pharmaceuticals, new investment from a Mexican company, Mission Foods, EPMB, and a major expansion at Peugeot. Jaguar and Denso are among many other examples.
	Much of the city is eligible for Objective 2 funding. Other European funding via "Rechar" programmes have benefited Kersley Colliery and the "Retex" (textile industry) programme has added to major reinvestment by the public sector in regenerating large parts of the area.
	Brownfield site regeneration has been an area of major success in the city with former major employment sites now housing new inward investors and investment from the city's university at the Technopark and the Coventry business park. Growth in the city's and sub-region's ICT sector has seen over 40,000 people now employed in 1,300 companies in this sector, helping diversify the area away from traditional manufacturing.
	The creation of a science park, and a Technocentre housing centres for incubator units, innovation, and many small start-up companies, have all been supported by public sector partnerships working with others. Other examples of such developments include Binley development. Nearly 50 acres have been developed for commercial use in the city, including the private sector-led Prologis park.
	DTI's Small Business Service has ensured that in the last year nearly 2,000 local businesses have received advice and support. Also, almost 2,000 people have benefited from training to raise the local skills threshold. Additionally, some £1.5 million worth of funding from the Skills Development Fund has been allocated to Coventry for projects such as a purpose-built centre for the delivery of engineering training.
	Advantage West Midlands, the west midlands regional development agency, is supporting Coventry and its sub-region's desire to promote the area as a High Technology Corridor. Substantial investment from the Rover task force resource will be used for HTC projects e.g. through the establishment of an ICT Skills Taskforce and an associated skills training scheme.
	Part of the city falls within Advantage West Midlands' Coventry-Nuneaton Regeneration Zone, which aims to connect areas of need to opportunities, working with many local partners in the community, voluntary and education sectors. This will receive considerable funding from Government.
	Community investment has been supported by approximately £12 million via the Government's Neighbourhood Renewal Programme, including developments at Hillfields and Wood End, and some £55 million under the New Deal for Communities. £37 million has been provided via the Single Regeneration Budget Programme in the same period.
	Coventry has benefited from substantial other funding from a number of Government schemes, including Sure Start and the Children's Fund, along with over £50 million from the national lottery.
	Employment is at its highest since the mid 1980s, with 142,000 employed in the city compared with 118,000 in 1992. While there have been some shifts in employment between sectors (telecoms and aerospace have suffered recent downturns), the changing nature of Coventry's economy has meant that unemployment has remained at 3.7 per cent. for several years, only slightly above the regional average of 3.5 per cent. The strong sub-regional partnership between agencies operating across the area, such as Jobcentre Plus, the Chamber, LSC, city council, Advantage West Midlands and Regional Supply Office, has ensured that when downsizing situations arise, the partnership is able to deploy the necessary tools to assist companies in a number of practical ways. This has been reinforced with Government funding via the Rapid Response Fund and other training and development initiatives.
	More than 20,000 students are expected to graduate from the two universities this year assisting business and individuals gain qualifications and training across many sectors.
	Through these significant interventions the Government have worked hard to achieve some important improvements in the regional economy, and to support the strong lead which local partners have shown to promote the industrial growth and diversification of Coventry and its sub-region since 1997.

UK Atomic Energy Authority

Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to her statement of 28 November 2001, Official Report, column 992W, on the UK Atomic Energy Authority, when the White Paper on arrangements for managing public sector civil nuclear liabilities will be published.

Brian Wilson: The White Paper "Managing the Nuclear Legacy—A Strategy for Action" is being published today. Copies are available in the Library and the Vote Office.
	The White Paper sets out plans for radical changes to current arrangements for the clean up of the public sector civil nuclear legacy including the creation of a new body—the Liabilities Management Authority—responsible to Government and with a specific remit to ensure that clean up is carried out safely, securely, cost effectively and in ways which protect the environment for the benefit of current and future generations. It makes clear the Government's determination to drive clean up forward systematically and progressively using the best available skills to get the job done and, through competition, to promote the development of the supply chain and skills base required to sustain the clean up programme over the long term. It also underlines our commitment to ensuring that management arrangements are open, transparent and command public confidence. Implementing legislation will be brought forward at the first available opportunity.
	In the interim, a Liabilities Management Unit (LMU) has been established in the DTI to drive forward the clean up work and to prepare the ground for the LMA. Membership of the LMU is drawn from the private and public sectors. The appointment of Bechtel as partner contractor adds international experience to the LMU, reflecting the Government's intention to ensure that the best skills are brought to bear on legacy clean up.
	In line with the commitment to openness and transparency, the Government have consulted widely with stakeholders in the preparation of the White Paper and would welcome views on the proposed new arrangements and the way in which they should be implemented. Views should be submitted to the Department by 18 October. Contact details are provided in the White Paper.

Enterprise Bill

Alex Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what advice her Department acted upon when deciding on paragraph 75 of the draft Enterprise Bill in relation to the three month limit for the appointment of an administrator.

Melanie Johnson: During consultation on the White Paper: "Productivity and Enterprise: Insolvency: A second chance", concerns were expressed that lack of a fixed timetable in administration resulted in uncertainty for creditors and costly delays. These concerns were mainly expressed by practitioners who specialise in smaller cases because the costs of running a lengthy administration can be a significant barrier to entry into administration.

Annual Leave

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the average annual leave entitlement is for staff in her Department in 2002.

Patricia Hewitt: I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible with the information for the year ended 31 July 2002. This will enable comparison with the information given in my reply of 8 February 2002 to his earlier question on this subject.

Castle Award

Bill Tynan: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if her Department has applied for a Castle Award for equal pay.

Patricia Hewitt: The Department of Trade and Industry has not applied for a Castle Award this year.

Ministerial Visits

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many (a) overseas visits by Ministers in her Department and (b) visits to Ministers in the UK by overseas Government Ministers and officials have taken place in each of the last three years in which UK arms sales have been discussed.

Patricia Hewitt: Department of Trade and Industry Ministers regularly meet with their overseas counterparts and with other senior officials to discuss a range of issues surrounding UK commerce and exports. Inevitably these have occasionally touched upon defence export opportunities. Details of such discussions are not however held centrally.

Broadband

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much her Department has (a) committed to and (b) spent on broadband access in rural areas in each of the last four years.

Stephen Timms: holding answer 13 June 2002
	Promoting broadband access in rural areas is a legitimate use of Government funds in pursuit of economic development objectives as long as it is in line with the guidelines for each fund. It is possible that some expenditure has been made from a variety of funding streams including European Structural Funds, Regional Selective Assistance and the Regional Development Agencies' Strategic Programme.
	The Department has made available a £30 million fund to help the Regional Development Agencies and devolved Administrations develop innovative schemes to extend broadband networks. In the first year of this fund (Financial Year 2001–02) the Department transferred £3 million of this fund to the recipients. Many projects funded from this will contribute in whole or in part to rural broadband access.

Broadband

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether broadband will be available in rural areas.

Stephen Timms: Through ADSL, cable and wireless technologies, broadband is available to around 66 per cent. of the population, including in some rural areas, and we expect this proportion to increase. Satellite technology can make broadband available almost anywhere. Our strategy, set out in the December 2001 UK Online Annual Report, includes a number of actions to help make the broadband market more extensive and competitive, including measures to stimulate broadband supply.
	In addition, I announced last week that from the autumn there will be:
	a new network of dedicated regional broadband advisers co-ordinated by the DTI, with the aim of increasing both availability and take-up of broadband in the regions;
	a new team of procurement experts in the Office of Government Commerce (OGC), providing hands-on support and advice to enable smarter public sector buying of broadband; and,
	new framework agreements between the Office of Government Commerce (OGC) and suppliers. This will enable public sector organisations to buy broadband quickly and efficiently, without having to negotiate terms and conditions for each purchase while ensuring value for money.

Broadband

Lembit �pik: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what initiatives her Department has to extend the availability of broadband internet provision to rural Wales; and if she will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: On 26 June I announced a new broadband team and network of dedicated broadband advisers to help boost roll-out and take-up of broadband across the UK, including in Wales.
	The Government have also made available the 30 million UK Broadband fund to help the English Regional Development Agencies and the devolved Administrations develop innovative schemes to extend broadband access. The Welsh Assembly Government will receive 2.67 million and will be using the money to:
	Link up all educational facilities, libraries and adult learning centres with broadband services to allow the public to access broadband services; and
	Support a project that will pilot the use of broadband wireless technology at the soon to be deregulated 2.4 GHz frequency in North West Wales.
	In addition, the Welsh Assembly Government is developing its own broadband strategy, based upon the findings of their Ubiquitous Broadband Infrastructure Study, and continues to support a number of initiatives across Wales that are designed to bring affordable broadband access within the reach of many more people.

Postal Services

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps the Government are taking to ensure that a full range of postal services is maintained.

Stephen Timms: holding answer 3 July 2002
	The Government laid down the universal postal service obligation in primary legislation in the Postal Services Act 2000. The legislation says that the obligation consists of a service provided at an affordable price determined by a public tariff uniform throughout the UK and includes the delivery each working day to the home or premises of every individual in the UK and a collection each working day from access points. Under the Act it is the primary duty of the Postal Services Commission (known as Postcomm) to exercise its functions in the manner which it considers is best calculated to ensure the provision of a universal postal service and it currently requires Consignia, in the licence, to provide the universal postal service.

Postal Services

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what financial assistance the Government have given to Consignia since 1997.

Stephen Timms: holding answer 3 July 2002
	The Government have shown a strong commitment to maintaining postal services through a variety of schemes which have been predominantly designed to support the Post Office network and to explore possible new income streams.
	The Government contributed 480 million to the capital cost of the Horizon project which computerised the whole network. We have also made available a 2 million fund to support volunteer and community initiatives to maintain or reopen post office facilities in the rural areas where traditional service would otherwise close. Figures for the end of May showed that applications to the value of 500,000 had been assessed and approved and to that date, payments of 231,000 had been made. Government provided 25 million for the Your Guide pilot in Leicestershire and Rutland which trialled the concept of post offices as one stop shops for government information and services.
	Following the announcement in January agreeing in principle to a compensation package for the urban network restructuring programme, the Government will make available up to 210 million for the compensation and investment package for urban offices, subject to state aid and parliamentary approval.
	In line with the Government's commitment to the maintenance of a nationwide network of post offices, proposals for the rural network are being developed in the context of advice on transitional financial assistance from the Postal Services Commission.
	In terms of supporting the mail business, the Government have not provided financial assistance for specific projects but, as announced to the House on 13 June, the need for the company to restructure has led to the Government agreeing the basis of a financing package which will allow the restructuring to go ahead. The 1.8 billion of investments on the Balance Sheet will be held by the group holding company as reserves. It will be available to back the investment required in the mails business, to implement the renewal programme and to support the nationwide network of post offices, subject, where necessary, to the relevant state aid clearances.

Law Society

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what support she is providing to the Law Society to facilitate the prompt reform of those solicitors practice rules identified as anti-competitive by the Director General of Fair Trading; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: I have been asked to reply.
	Reform of the solicitors practice rules and removal of anti-competitive restrictions therein are matters for the Law Society to take forward. Where there are restrictions in legislation relating to the regulation of solicitors they fall to Government to consider. As has already been announced, the Government are planning to consult before the summer break on those issues which fall to them arising from the DGFT's report.

Law Society

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions her Department has had with the Law Society in the past 12 months on employed solicitors advising the public, fee-sharing and referral fees; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: I have been asked to reply.
	Officials from both the Lord Chancellor's Department and from the Department of Trade and Industry have separately held meetings with the Law Society. The DTI has discussed competition issues generally. The LCD has discussed progress relating to those matters highlighted in the Director General of Fair Trading's report Competition in Professions. The issue of employed solicitors advising the public is one of the matters to be considered in the Government's consultation paper planned for release before the summer break.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

Grammar Schools (Kent)

Stephen Ladyman: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills based on benchmark tables as defined in the autumn package, 2001, how many of Kent and Medway's grammar schools fall in the bottom quartile of performance expectations of schools; and how many would be expected to fall in that bottom quartile if they performed to the average level of grammar school performance.

David Miliband: The benchmark tables allow comparisons between schools in a number of ways. On the basis of the percentage of pupils achieving 5+A*-C, none of the Kent and Medway grammar schools falls in the lower quartile for all schools. I am also aware of the research commissioned by my hon. Friend from Professor Jesson of the University of York, which argues that 17 of Kent and Medway's grammar schools fall in the bottom quartile of performance, seven more than Professor Jesson believes should be expected.

Further Education (Funding)

Andy Burnham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement about future resources for the further education sector.

Ivan Lewis: By next year funding for FE will have risen by 26 per cent. in real terms since 1997. The Learning and Skills Council's funding rates for programmes delivered by FE sector colleges are increasing by 2.5 per cent. in cash terms for the 200203 academic year, above the current rate of inflation. We are looking to the current spending review to deliver the resources needed to meet the Government's ambitions for further education in 200304 and beyond.

Further Education (Funding)

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what her Department's estimate is of the performance-related pay shortfall from the original budgeted announcement for further education staff in the colleges in Leeds.

Margaret Hodge: My Department does not publish data on the numbers of lecturers in individual colleges who are receiving particular payments under the Teaching Pay Initiative (TPI). This is because the distribution of TPI payments to teachers within individual colleges is properly a matter for the management of those colleges and their staff. However, distribution of TPI funds from the Learning and Skills Council to colleges is being monitored, and TPI is being evaluated at a national level. I am able to make the following information available.
	For sixth form colleges, the size of TPI payments to individual teachers is prescribed as part of the initiative; the formula is the same as that applying to school teachers. The original announcement stated the Government expected that about two-thirds of teachers in sixth form colleges would qualify for payments of 2,000.
	For general further education (FE) colleges, the size of payments to individual teachers is not prescribed as part of the initiative. In the original announcement the Government expected that over two thirds of teachers in general FE colleges would qualify for payments of up to 2,000, with 10 per cent. receiving career structure and initiative payments of up to 4,000. However, the announcement made it clear that colleges would have the flexibility to determine the precise levels of payments.
	This is the first year of TPI and we are currently evaluating its impact on colleges. The Sixth Form Colleges' Employers' Forum estimates that, nationally, 84 per cent. of sixth form college teachers have already received payments of 2,000 in 200102. For general FE colleges, although no comparable figures are available, indications nationally are that progress has been much more gradual. The first case study evaluation report is due from the Association of Colleges in April.
	In Leeds, seven general FE and one sixth form college, have been allocated a total of 1,007,749 TPI support in 200102 as follows:
	Leeds College of Art and Design83,422
	Leeds College of Music49,498
	Joseph Priestley College72,539
	Leeds College of Building67,693
	Leeds College of Technology102,195
	Thomas Danby College162,238
	Park lane College339,611
	Notre Dame Sixth Form College130,553.
	In 200203 allocations to each college will increase by between 25 per cent. and 50 per cent. Further increases to the TPI budget are planned for 200304. These increases will enable colleges to extend TPI payments to teachers who meet the criteria for the first time. The increases should also enable general FE colleges to review the size of payments offered to individual staff and to consolidate these payments where they have not already done so.

Further Education (Funding)

Peter Pike: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many post-16 students went on to further education in (a) Burnley and (b) Lancashire in 2001.

Ivan Lewis: Data on the percentage of students staying on in full-time education are not calculated for areas smaller than LEAs as reliable estimates cannot be made.
	The percentage of 16 and 17-year-olds in full-time education in Lancashire LEA, which includes the constituency of Burnley, in 19992000, the latest year for which figures are available, is set out in the table:
	
		Lancashire LEA, 19992000 -- Percentage
		
			 Age Full-time education Part-time education 
		
		
			 16 66 8 
			 17 56 10 
		
	
	Participation rates by LEA are published in an annual statistical bulletin, Participation in Education and Training by Young People Aged 16 and 17 in Each Local Area and Region, England.

Further Education (Funding)

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps she is taking to improve recruitment and retention of further education lecturers.

Ivan Lewis: We are investing more than 300 million in the Teaching Pay Initiative (TPI). TPI is an important initiative designed to help modernise further education (FE) pay arrangements and to recruit, reward and retain teachers and lecturers as part of the drive to improve teaching and learning.
	Alongside TPI, we are piloting Training Bursaries for students training to be FE teachers. From the autumn of 2002, we will also introduce Golden Hello payments and, subject to the approval of Parliament, a scheme to pay off, over time, the student loans of new teachers in FE shortage subject areas.

Neighbourhood Nurseries

Sue Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the provision of neighbourhood nurseries under the neighbourhood nursery initiative.

Margaret Hodge: The neighbourhood nurseries programme is making real progress. The first neighbourhood nurseries have now opened, and the pace of development is encouraging some 32,000 places are currently under development. 36 per cent. of these first nurseries are linked to Sure Start and 32 per cent. are on school sites.

School and Business Links

Gillian Merron: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps she is taking to support links between schools and business.

Stephen Twigg: We welcome links between schools and business, which help raise pupils' achievement, motivation and attendance, and prepare them for adult and working life.
	We have allocated 25 million this year to fund a range of activities, through local Learning and Skills Councils contracting with Education/Business Links Consortia. These include professional development placements for teachers, work experience and mentoring for young people, and enterprise activities.

Excellence in Cities

Bill Rammell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the development of the Excellence in Cities programme.

David Miliband: Excellence in Cities covers 58 local authority areas and their secondary schools. It also includes Excellence Clusters and selected primary schools. With new ways of working based on effective partnerships the programme is already making an impact. Overall standards are rising faster in EiC schools than elsewhere. We are determined to secure and extend these gains by helping all EiC partnerships to perform at the level of the best.

Autistic Children

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on provision for schooling of children with autism.

Stephen Twigg: Children with autism, along with others with special educational needs, should receive the schooling their learning difficulties call for. The SEN Code of Practice gives statutory guidance to schools and local education authorities in identifying needs and making suitable provision. Forthcoming guidance from the Department's Autism Working Group will help providers plan and make good quality provision for children with the condition.

Collegiate Academy (Birmingham)

Stephen McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment she has made of Birmingham LEA's proposals for a collegiate academy.

David Miliband: We judged the Birmingham proposal to be an interesting model of collaborative practice between secondary schools, well worth supporting. The intention of the collegiate academies is to raise standards and broaden curriculum choices for students through the schools working together in a very structured way. If they prove successful, they could provide a useful model for other clusters of schools to adopt in order to maximise the benefits of school diversity.
	This is a pathfinder project, so by its nature is untested. The Department has commissioned research to evaluate the pathfinder project over the next three years. Their first report is expected in October this year. In addition the Birmingham LEA will evaluate the collegiate academies in partnership with Warwick University.

After-school Clubs

Mr. Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what action she is taking to improve the regulation of after-school clubs.

Margaret Hodge: Last year we transferred responsibility for the registration and inspection of under 8s child care, including after-school clubs, from local authorities to the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted). At the same time we introduced National Standards and there is a specific set of criteria covering out of school care. A national scheme will bring improvements to the regulation of after-school clubs, not least a more consistent approach across England. Earlier this year we consulted on proposals for a scheme for certifying child care providers' suitability to look after older children, and we will be looking carefully at the results of that consultation as these proposals are taken forward.

Adult Literacy and Numeracy

Michael Clapham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what measures she is taking to increase basic literacy and numeracy skills for adults.

Ivan Lewis: The Government are fully committed to improving the literacy, language and numeracy skills of adults. The Prime Minister launched Skills for Life, the national strategy for improving adult literacy and numeracy in England in March 2001. Since then, we have introduced a new national teaching and learning infrastructure of standards, curricula, teacher training and national tests in literacy and numeracy nationally to help increase standards and learner achievement. There have been three bursts of national promotion activity to increase demand for basic skills provision. These have led to over 100,000 calls to the national information hotline. Demand is also being stimulated among employers with a toolkit of advice and materials to ensure low skilled employees have opportunities to improve their skills. We have completed a series of pilots to test innovative pedagogical approaches and financial incentives for learners and employers. A new national research and development centre, led by the London University's Institute of Education, has begun investigating best practice in the UK and internationally. Our target is that 750,000 adults improve their literacy and numeracy by 2004. Between April 2001 and January 2002, more than 124,000 adults were helped to gain literacy and numeracy qualifications.

Child Care

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans there are to improve the provision of child care places for the under-fives.

Margaret Hodge: The Department for Education and Skills has responsibility for the development of child care places in England through the National Childcare Strategy. The Strategy is carried forward at a local level by Early Years Development and Childcare Partnerships (EYDCPs) that have been established in every local education authority area in England and are tasked with providing and supporting good quality, affordable child care in their respective areas.
	More than 175,000 new pre-school child care places 1 have been created since 1997 and EYDCPs have plans to create approx. 140,000 new pre-school places over the next two years.
	Many of these places will be created through the Neighbourhood Nurseries programme, a key component of the Government's wider Neighbourhood Childcare Initiative. Launched in January 2001, the initiative aims to create 45,000 new nursery places for children from birth to school age and 25,000 childminding places in the most disadvantaged areas of England.
	Since September 1998 all four-year-olds have had access to a free part time early education place for the three terms before they become of compulsory school age.
	In addition, we have also increased the number of three-year-olds accessing a free early education place from 34 per cent. in January 1997 to more than 66 per cent. in March 2002. From September 2004 all three-year-olds will have access to a free early education place.
	1 Pre-school child care places include day care places lasting for three and a half hours or more per day and places with childminders.

School Discipline

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what recent assessment she has made on the impact of disciplinary problems on standards in schools.

Stephen Twigg: In his annual report for 200001 Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools reported that standards of behaviour were unsatisfactory in one secondary school in 12 and one primary school in 50. He added that unsatisfactory behaviour in some secondary schools had undermined efforts to raise standards, and that such behaviour and negative attitudes towards work were significant problems in half of the secondary schools making poor progress in raising attainment.
	We have provided extensive support to schools to tackle disruptive behaviour and help improve standards, including funding for over 1,050 Learning Support Units, guidance on discipline and exclusion policies, and guidance on developing effective anti-bullying strategies. In addition, the 66 million made available through this year's Budget will fund a programme of focused support for schools in the 34 LEAs facing the toughest challenges of behaviour and criminality.
	We will also extend the availability of Parenting Orders, so that these can cover parents of pupils excluded for violence or persistent serious disruption.

Truancy

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the long-term social and economic costs of truancy, particularly in communities of high deprivation.

Stephen Twigg: The Government are fully aware of the consequences of truancy, especially of its links with educational underachievement, unemployment, homelessness and in particular crime.
	We are continuing to tackle this issue through a number of initiatives. These include nationally co-ordinated truancy sweeps and the investment of 66 million in the Behaviour Improvement Programme which is being funded in those local education authorities identified as having high truancy and high crime rates.
	It is important that parents and local communities are encouraged to see the importance of regular attendance and share responsibility for preventing truancy.

Truancy

Eric Illsley: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what action she proposes to reduce the level of truanting taking place with parental consent.

Stephen Twigg: We have introduced a higher penalty for those parents who know that their child is not attending school and taken no reasonable steps to secure their attendance. We are examining ways in which the Government can support the prosecution process by sharing information and guidance.
	Magistrates can now impose Parenting Orders as a means of underlining parents' responsibility for their children's behaviour and providing parents with structured help and support.
	We have also introduced truancy sweeps which can help to identify parents who are not taking their child's attendance seriously. These send the strong message to parents and the wider community that children should be in school.

Truancy

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of children of secondary age were absent from school due to (a) authorised and (b) unauthorised absence in each of the years 199697 to 200102 in (i) foundation, (ii) voluntary aided, (iii) voluntary controlled, (iv) community, (v) specialist, (vi) city technology college and (vii) grammar schools.

Stephen Twigg: holding answer 1 July 2002
	The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		Percentage of half days missed due to (a) authorised and (b) unauthorised absence in secondary schools in England
		
			  199697 199798 199899 19992000 200001 
		
		
			  (a) Authorised absences   
			 (i) Foundation 7.3 7.2 7.3 7.0 7.5 
			 (ii) Voluntary aided 7.9 7.7 7.3 7.1 7.4 
			 (iii) Voluntary controlled 7.4 7.3 7.4 7.1 7.5 
			 (iv) Community 8.5 8.3 8.2 8.0 8.4 
			 (v) Specialist   7.4 7.3 7.7 
			 (vi) City technology colleges 6.1 6.1 5.8 5.9 6.2 
			 (vii) Grammar schools 4.8 4.9 5.1 4.8 5.1 
			   
			  (b) Unauthorised absences   
			 (i) Foundation 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.7 0.7 
			 (ii) Voluntary aided 0.8 0.8 0.7 0.7 0.7 
			 (iii) Voluntary controlled 0.9 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 
			 (iv) Community 1.3 1.4 1.3 1.3 1.3 
			 (v) Specialist   0.9 0.9 0.9 
			 (vi) City technology colleges 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.2 
			 (vii) Grammar schools 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 
		
	
	Note:
	Information for 200102 is not yet available.

Truancy

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what her estimate is of the change in (a) school truancy and (b) school exclusions between 1998 and 2002; and if she will make a statement.

Stephen Twigg: The information requested for schools in England is as follows:
	
		
			 (a) School truancy 199795 200001 
		
		
			 Percentage of half days missed due to unauthorised absence 0.7 0.7 
		
	
	
		
			 (b) Permanent exclusions from school 199798 200001(2) 
		
		
			 Primary schools(3) 1,539 1,460 
			 Secondary schools(3) 10,187 7,410 
			 Special schools(4) 572 340 
			  
			 Total 12,298 9,210 
		
	
	(2) Provisional estimate
	(3) Maintained
	(4) Maintained and non-maintained
	The truancy and exclusion data are collected by academic year therefore the latest figures available are for 200001.

Schools Education

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on funding for schools education.

David Miliband: Since 199798 recurrent funding per pupil has risen by an average 670 (24 per cent.) in real terms: by 200304 it will have increased by over 760 in real terms.

Schools Education

Patsy Calton: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the future of funding for schools education.

David Miliband: We will be consulting on proposals for a new system of school and LEA funding over the summer, starting by mid-July. We aim to create a simpler, more transparent and fairer formula that reflects fairly, on the basis of up-to-date evidence, the needs of authorities in different parts of the country.

Primary Schools

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when she next expects to meet governors of state primary schools to discuss the burden of paperwork.

David Miliband: Ministers meet school governor representatives from time to time to discuss a range of issues. The Secretary of State does not have any meetings currently arranged with governors of state primary schools specifically to discuss paperwork.

Primary Schools

Roger Casale: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many reception places are available at each primary school in Merton, broken down by parliamentary constituency; and how many applications there have been in each case for the school year 200203.

David Miliband: Information on places available by year group and the number of applications to schools is not collected centrally.

Student Support

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans she has to consult with universities over the new system of student support.

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when she intends to publish a consultation document outlining options for a new system of student support; and if she will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge: The review of higher education student funding is still under way. We will make an announcement when the review is complete, at which time there will be opportunity for the universities and others to comment.

School Buildings

Colin Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much money has been allocated for new school buildings and renovations in the current financial year; and if she will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: Government support for capital investment in schools in England for 200203 is over 3 billion. We allocate most of this funding to schools and local education authorities (LEAs) by needs related formulae, so that they can prioritise investment in line with locally agreed Asset Management Plans. We do not collect information on the spread of capital investment between new buildings and renovation.

School Buildings

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what Government funding has been given to each London education authority to improve and upgrade school buildings in each of the last three years.

Ivan Lewis: The table sets out the amount of funding we have allocated to each London education authority to support capital expenditure in the last three years. This funding was provided for the improvement, renovation or replacement of school buildings.
	
		Capital allocation -- 000
		
			 LEA 200001 200102 200203 
		
		
			 Inner London
			 Camden 5,754 4,937 21,737 
			 City of London 67 155 133 
			 Hackney 6,412 8,472 7,816 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 3,677 3,608 4,133 
			 Haringey 8,330 10,700 14,944 
			 Islington 6,885 3,870 8,885 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 2,506 2,968 2,099 
			 Lambeth 6,970 9,401 6,420 
			 Lewisham 8,387 8,239 66,549 
			 Newham 12,678 38,464 13,915 
			 Southwark 7,841 6,499 11,811 
			 Tower Hamlets 6,602 7,904 10,211 
			 Wandsworth 7,469 6,843 12,261 
			 Westminster 4,088 3,572 5,256 
			 
			 Outer London
			 Barking and Dagenham 5,026 5,794 39,816 
			 Barnet 10,149 6,126 13,157 
			 Bexley 8,439 7,344 48,900 
			 Brent 16,705 8,206 39,563 
			 Bromley 7,970 6,825 6,695 
			 Croydon 10,575 6,250 23,965 
			 Ealing 9,402 9,265 46,323 
			 Enfield 8,166 7,474 19,778 
			 Greenwich 6,485 11,319 11,743 
			 Harrow 5,534 4,038 18,130 
			 Havering 6,729 6,133 8,171 
			 Hillingdon 10,000 8,103 23,710 
			 Hounslow 6,435 4,295 6,308 
			 Kingston-upon-Thames 5,076 4,621 5,579 
			 Merton 4,554 32,702 14,014 
			 Redbridge 10,913 26,521 8,482 
			 Richmond-upon-Thames 4,092 18,821 3,244 
			 Sutton 8,945 6,684 7,938 
			 Waltham Forest 7,368 8,517 63,789 
			  
			 Total capital allocation 240,229 304,661 595,475 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Allocations comprise of capital grant and credit approvals, including Private Finance Initiative (PFI) credits for school buildings.
	2. The total allocation for 200001 includes 9 million of PFI credits.
	3. The total for 200001 also includes 610.8 million announced for New Deal for Schools 4, which was available for use in 200001 and 200102.
	4. The total allocation for 200102 includes 84.2 million of PFI credits.
	5. The total allocation for 200203 includes 298.1 million of PFI credits.
	6. All allocations include funding allocated direct to schools within each LEA.

Individual Learning Accounts

Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the moneys owed to course providers following the closure of the individual learning account scheme.

Ivan Lewis: Following the closure of the individual learning account (ILA) programme on 23 November 2001, at the end of June 16.8 million of claims from 267 registered learning providers has been withheld pending the results of investigations.

Individual Learning Accounts

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what payments (a) have been claimed, (b) have been paid, (c) are outstanding and (d) are in dispute with ILA providers in each month since August 2001.

Ivan Lewis: holding answer 10 June 2002
	The amounts claimed, paid and withheld at the end of each month from August 2001 to 28 June 2002 are set out in the following table. The amounts in the withheld column relate to those claims from registered individual learning account (ILA) providers which are subject to validation checks and/or investigation. The claims withheld are those which are in dispute.
	At the time of closure on 23 November a total of 19.4 million relating to learning episodes confirmed on the ILA centre system was awaiting payment and therefore outstanding. Following validation checks payments for eligible learning relating to this amount were subsequently made in December and January.
	ILA programme rules allowed bookings to be made six months in advance of the learning episode, so booked learning could be confirmed up to and including 22 May 2002. A paper-based claims and payment system was introduced in January 2002 to allow providers to confirm and claim for delivery of this advanced booked learning. Claims, payments and amounts withheld are reflected in the table. In addition an estimated sum of 5.6 million remains unclaimed relating to advance booked learning by providers who cannot be invited to claim until all investigations are complete.
	
		 
		
			 Month (a) Amount claimed (b) Amount paid (c) Amount withheld /in dispute 
		
		
			 August 2001 24,672,600 (5)26,216,174 1,580,245 
			 September 2001 26,401,842 25,818,692 583,150 
			 October 2001 39,173,099 (5)39,251,249 0 
			 November 2001 51,334,141 31,789,658 113,100 
			 December 2001 0 3,495,594 11,280,502 
			 January 2002 0 (5)2,241,238 2,422,450 
			 February 2002 559,290 (5)507,636 107,854 
			 March 2002 3,299,073 (5)1,937,840 1,365,652 
			 April 2002 2,078,824 (5)1,555,490 540,489 
			 May 2002 1,048,282 (5)928,924 199,303 
			 June 2002 380,898 (5)382,371 68,672 
		
	
	(5) These payments include amounts released from earlier claims which had been previously withheld.

School Fire Safety

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make it a requirement that all new schools and extensions should be fitted with fire sprinkler systems.

Ivan Lewis: Since April 2001, all new construction work at schools has been subject to approval under the Building Regulations. The Building Regulations do not require the installation of fire sprinkler systems in new school accommodation and the Department does not intend to seek such a change.
	With regard to fire safety, projects will not be approved unless they are designed in accordance with the 2000 edition of Approved Document B (Fire Safety), which accompanies the regulations. The Department's guide 'Fire Safety' includes information on sprinklers. It states that, though expensive to install, sprinklers can be worthwhile in areas where the risk of arson is high. In these circumstances their use can help minimise the loss of valuable course work and teaching materials, and prevent major disruption to the life of a school.

Teacher Vacancies (Portsmouth, South)

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many vacancies, unfilled with permanent staff, in secondary schools there are in the Portsmouth, South constituency; how many there were in 1997; and if she will make a statement.

David Miliband: The number of vacancies for full-time teachers in maintained secondary schools in Hampshire were:
	
		Vacancy numbers
		
			  January 1997 January 2001 
		
		
			 Former Hampshire 33 n/a 
			 Hampshire n/a 85 
			 Portsmouth n/a 36 
			 Southampton n/a 27 
		
	
	This is the most recent available information.
	Hampshire local authority was affected by the local government reorganisation (LGR) on 1 April 1997, when it became three authorities; Portsmouth, Southampton and Hampshire. Figures for 1997 are for the Hampshire local authority prior to LGR.
	Information on teacher vacancies by constituency is not held centrally.

Specialist Schools

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many (a) failing schools and (b) schools under special measures have (i) applied to and (ii) become specialist schools since the specialist schools scheme came into operation.

David Miliband: Under section 13(9) of the School Inspections Act 1996, special measures are required to be taken in relation to a school if the school is judged to be
	failing or likely to fail to provide pupils with an acceptable standard of education. The number of schools judged to be (a) failing and consequently (b) under special measures at the time of their applications to become specialist schools is four. All of these applications were unsuccessful.

Specialist Schools

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many schools applied for specialist school status in the latest round; how many of these applications were accepted and in which specialisms; if she will list the successful schools; and if she will make a statement.

David Miliband: 282 schools applied for designation in one of the eight specialisms in March 2002. I have today announced 160 new designations taking the total number of specialist schools operational from September 2002 to 992. From September there will be specialist schools in 97 per cent. of local education authorities in England responsible for the education of over 1 million young people. Today's announcement puts us well on course to reach our target of at least 1,500 specialist schools by 2005. The successful specialist school applicants announced today are as listed in the table.
	
		160 specialist schools designed July 2002listed by LEA by school name
		
			 School LEA Specialism 
		
		
			 Ashmole School Barnet, LB of Science 
			 Copthall School Barnet, LB of Business and Enterprise 
			 Finchley Catholic High School Barnet, LB of Business and Enterprise 
			 Kirk Balk School Barnsley Technology 
			 Wootton Upper School Bedforshire Arts 
			 Bexley Grammar School Bexley, LB of Language 
			 Archbishop Ilsley R. C. School/Technical College Birmingham Technology 
			 Bournville School and Sixth Form Centre Birmingham Business and Enterprise 
			 Castle Vale School Birmingham Arts 
			 Our Lady and St. John RC High School Blackburn with Darwen Arts 
			 Garth Hill School (The) Bracknell Forest Technology 
			 Preston Manor High Brent, LB of Science 
			 Coopers School Bromley, LB of Technology 
			 Dr. Challoner's Grammar School Buckinghamshire Science 
			 Brighouse High School Calderdale Business and Enterprise 
			 Bassingbourn Village College Cambridgeshire Technology 
			 Catholic High School (The) Cheshire Science 
			 Malbank School and Sixth Form Centre Cheshire Arts 
			 Virgo Fidelis Senior Convent School Croydon, LB of Maths and Computing 
			 St. Benedict's Catholic High School Cumbria Engineering 
			 Thorncliffe School Cumbria Sports 
			 Eckington School Derbyshire Engineering 
			 Heanor Gate School Derbyshire Science 
			 Braunton School and Community College Devon Maths and Computing 
			 King's School (The) Devon Sports 
			 Kingsbridge Community College Devon Science 
			 Rossington High School Doncaster Sports 
			 Thomas Hardye School (The) Dorset Science 
			 Earls High School (The) Dudley Arts 
			 Holly Hall School (The) Dudley Maths and Computing 
			 Windsor High School Dudley Sports 
			 Shotton Hall School Durham Arts 
			 Ellen Wilkinson School for Girls (The) Ealing, LB of Science 
			 Headlands School East Riding of Yorkshire Science 
			 Bishop Bell CofE School (The) East Sussex Maths and Computing 
			 Chailey School East Sussex Language 
			 Lea Valley High School Enfield, LB of Sports 
			 Colchester County High School for Girls Essex Science 
			 Gilberd School (The) Essex Maths and Computing 
			 King Edmund School (The) Essex Business and Enterprise 
			 King John School Essex Maths and Computing 
			 Rainsford High School Essex Arts 
			 Thurstable School Essex Sports 
			 Trinity Catholic High School Essex Science 
			 West Hatch High School Essex Business and Enterprise 
			 Hackney Free and Parochial CE School Hackney, LB of Sports 
			 Brookfield Community School Hampshire Language 
			 Henry Beaufort School (The) Hampshire Technology 
			 Hurst Community School Hampshire Science 
			 Park Community School Hampshire Arts 
			 Perins Community School Hampshire Sports 
			 Vyne Community School (The) Hampshire Arts 
			 Wavell School (The) Hampshire Technology 
			 Hatch End High School Harrow, LB of Arts 
			 Nower Hill High School Harrow, LB of Arts 
			 Gaynes School Havering, LB of Language 
			 John Kyrle High School (The) Herefordshire Technology 
			 Broxbourne School (The) Hertfordshire Business and Enterprise 
			 Watford Grammar School for Girls Hertfordshire Arts 
			 Uxbridge High School Hillingdon, LB of Technology 
			 Sion Manning RC Girls School Kensington and Chelsea, RB of Arts 
			 Astor School Kent Arts 
			 Pickering High School Kingston upon Hull, City of Sports 
			 Coombe Girls' Schools Kingston upon Thames, RB of Language 
			 Tiffin Girls School (The) Kingston upon Thames, RB of Maths and Computing 
			 Almondbury High School Kirklees Language 
			 Broughton High School Lancashire Business and Enterprise 
			 Garstang High School Lancashire Technology 
			 Ivy Bank High School Lancashire Business and Enterprise 
			 Horsforth School Leeds Science 
			 Priesthorpe School Leeds Sports 
			 Roundhay School Leeds Technology 
			 Brookvale High School (Joint) Leicestershire Language 
			 Groby Community College (Joint) Leicestershire Language 
			 Branston Community College Lincolnshire Business and Enterprise 
			 Gartree Community School (The) Lincolnshire Technology 
			 Shorefields School Liverpool Technology 
			 Stopsley High School and Community College Luton Sports 
			 Whalley Range High School Manchester Business and Enterprise 
			 Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School Medway Maths and Computing 
			 Upbury Manor School Medway Arts 
			 Raynes Park High School Merton, LB of Technology 
			 St. David's Roman Catholic Comprehensive School Middlesbrough Technology 
			 Walton High Milton Keynes Business and Enterprise 
			 Caister High School Norfolk Arts 
			 Litcham High School Norfolk Science 
			 Toll Bar School North East Lincolnshire Business and Enterprise 
			 High Ridge School North Lincolnshire Sports 
			 St. Bede's Catholic School North Lincolnshire Maths and Computing 
			 Churchill Community College North Tyneside Sports 
			 Scalby School North Yorkshire Technology 
			 Whitby Community College North Yorkshire Technology 
			 Moulton School Northamptonshire Science 
			 Cramlington Community High School Northumberland Science 
			 All Saints RC School Nottinghamshire Arts 
			 Brunts School (The) Nottinghamshire Arts 
			 Carlton Le Willows School Nottinghamshire Technology 
			 South Wolds School Nottinghamshire Language 
			 Blue Coat School (The) Oldham Science 
			 Matthew Arnold School Oxfordshire Science 
			 Devonport High School Plymouth, City of Engineering 
			 Chadwell Heath Foundation School Redbridge Arts 
			 Wickersley School Rotherham Sports 
			 Heathfield Foundation School (The) Sandwell Technology 
			 Christ The king Catholic High School Sefton Technology 
			 Rhyn Park School Shropshire Arts 
			 Thomas Adams School (The) Shropshire Arts 
			 William Brookes School Shropshire Arts 
			 Langley School Solihull Arts 
			 Huish Episcopi School Somerset Science 
			 Preston School Somerset Business and Enterprise 
			 West Somerset Community College (The) Somerset Technology 
			 Westfield Community School Somerset Science 
			 Prittlewell School (The) Southend on Sea Technology 
			 St. Michael's School Southwark, LB of Business and Enterprise 
			 Sutton Community High School St. Helens Sports 
			 Blackfriars Special School Staffordshire Technology 
			 Blake Community High School Staffordshire Technology 
			 Blessed William Howard Catholic High School Staffordshire Arts 
			 Chase Terace High School Staffordshire Technology 
			 Kingsmead School Staffordshire Technology 
			 Madeley High School Staffordshire Technology 
			 St. Margaret Ward Catholic High School Stoke on Trent Arts 
			 Farlingaye High School Suffolk Maths and Computing 
			 Mildenhall Upper School Suffolk Technology 
			 Sudbury Upper School Suffolk Arts 
			 Farringdon Community School Sunderland Sports 
			 Hetton School Sunderland Technology 
			 Howard of Effingham School Surrey Science 
			 Rodborough School Surrey Technology 
			 Woolmer Hill School Surrey Technology 
			 Glenthorne High School Sutton, LB of Arts 
			 Wilson's School Sutton, LB of Maths and Computing 
			 Astley High School Tameside Sports 
			 Paignton Community College Torbay Sports 
			 Swanlea School Tower Hamlets, LB of Business and Enterprise 
			 Altrincham Grammar School for Girls Trafford Language 
			 Green Lane High School Trafford Arts 
			 Horbury School Wakefield Language 
			 Brownhills Community School Walsall Technology 
			 Shelfield Community School Walsall Sports 
			 Birchwood Community High School Warrington Business and Enterprise 
			 Aylesford School Warwickshire Language 
			 Harris High School Warwickshire Sports 
			 Myton School Warwickshire Science 
			 Stratford-upon-Avon Grammar School Warwickshire Language 
			 John O'Gaunt School West Berkshire Technology 
			 St. Bartholomew's School West Berkshire Business and Enterprise 
			 Grey Coat Hospital (The) Westminster Language 
			 Cransfield Community High School Wigan Language 
			 Mornington High School Wigan Arts 
			 Sheldon School Wiltshire Science 
			 Newlands Girls School Windsor and Maidenhead, RB of Technology 
			 St. Anselm's College Wirral Technology 
			 Upton Hall School FCJ Wirral Technology 
			 Woodchurch High School Wirral Engineering 
			 Maiden Erlegh School Wokingham Arts 
			 Prince Henry's High School Worcestershire Language 
			 Archbishop Holgate's School York, city of Science 
			 Fulford School York, city of Maths and Computing

Pupil Rolls

Alan Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  how many secondary schools in England have pupil rolls (a) below 600, (b) between 601 and 1,000, (c) between 1,001 and 1,500 and (d) over 1,500;
	(2)  how many primary schools in England have pupil rolls (a) below 200, (b) between 201 and 400, (c) between 401 and 600 and (d) above 600.

David Miliband: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		Maintained primary and secondary schools: number of schools by size of school(6)EnglandAs at January 2002 (provisional)
		
			 Size of school(6) Number of schools 
		
		
			 Primary  
			 Up to 200 8,070 
			 201 to 400 8,258 
			 400 to 600 1,485 
			 601 and over 145 
			   
			 Secondary  
			 Up to 600 596 
			 601 to 1,000 1,397 
			 1,001 to 1,500 1,221 
			 1,501 and over 239 
		
	
	(6) Based on the number of full time pupils
	Source:
	Annual Schools Census

MLD and SLD Schools

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many places there are in schools for (a) MLD and (b) SLD pupils in England and Wales; and what information she has collated on the demand for places in (i) MLD and (ii) SLD schools in England and Wales.

Margaret Hodge: Information is not collected on the available places for children with particular categories of special educational needs in England. The majority of children with special educational needs are educated in mainstream schools which respond to the unique needs of each of their pupils. Special schools will also commonly include a diverse range of pupils within a broad spectrum of need.
	Since the Education Act 1981, schools have not been required to return information about pupils' special educational needs categorised by disability or learning difficulty. We are now looking into the feasibility of collecting this information.
	The responsibility for planning of school places, including for pupils with special educational needs, rest with local education authorities. Information about the demand for placed in MLD and SLD schools is not therefore collated centrally.
	In Wales, such matters are for the Welsh Assembly. However we understand that the position is the same.

Regulatory Impact Unit

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many members of her Department have been employed in its Regulatory Impact Unit in the past five years; and if she will make a statement.

Stephen Twigg: From 1997 to 2002, the Department has employed the following numbers of staff in its Regulatory Impact Unit:
	199798: Approximately half the time of a full-time member of staff (with line management support when necessary)
	199899: Approximately half the time of a full-time member of staff (with line management support when necessary)
	19992000: Approximately half the time of a full-time member of staff (with line management support when necessary) up to 31 December 1999, and, one full-time member of staff (with line management support when necessary) from 1 January 2002
	200001: One full-time member of staff (with line management support when necessary)
	200102: One full-time member of staff (with line management support when necessary)
	From 2002: One full-time member of staff (with line management support when necessary).
	It is the job of the departmental Regulatory Impact Unit to establish and promote the principles of good regulation in the Department. The unit works closely with the officials responsible for developing policies in the Department and the Regulatory Impact Unit within the Cabinet Office. It focuses on those regulations that impact on business, charities, and the voluntary sector.

Careers Advice

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what advice is made available at school to pupils who do not wish to continue into further education and want to enter work.

Stephen Twigg: School pupils receive advice on their post-16 choices from three main sources:
	a curriculum-led programme of careers education during school years nine, 10 and 11;
	Impartial advice on learning and career choices from a Connexions Personal Adviser or Careers Adviser;
	Careers information products such as the It's Your Choice workbook for students in year 10 or 11 and the Working In series of booklets that provide information on working in particular occupations.
	Careers education enables young people to develop the skills needed to understand and evaluate the post-16 options open to them. This is supported by impartial advice and guidance from a Connexions Personal Adviser or Careers Adviser. The Connexions Service is being established to provide integrated advice, guidance and support to 13 to 19-year-olds on a range of issues, including advice on learning and careers. It is currently live in 28 out of 47 local Learning and Skills Council areas in England. The Careers Service provides advice in those areas not yet covered by Connexions.
	While the primary focus of connexions Personal Advisers and Careers Advisers is to encourage young people to stay in education or learning, they also provide advice on vocational and work related options for post-16 learning, including Modern Apprenticeships. Their help includes a job matching service to help young people find and retain a suitable job. They work with both young people and employers to ensure that, wherever possible, young people start a job with training and that employers are aware of their responsibilities under the Right to Time Off for Study or Training regulations.

Teachers

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many teachers were teaching in English schools in each year from 197980 to 200102; and if she will make a statement.

David Miliband: The numbers of full-time equivalent 1 teachers in regular service 2 in the maintained schools sector in England in January of each year since 1980 3 are in the table:
	1 Part-time teachers have been converted to an estimate of their full-time equivalence and added to full-time numbers.
	2 Excludes occasional teachers.
	3 Teachers in Sixth Form Colleges were included in the survey prior to 1993; these have been removed by estimation to provide this consistent time series excluding Sixth Form Colleges.
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 1980 444,000 
			 1981 435,000 
			 1982 425,500 
			 1983 419,100 
			 1984 414,900 
			 1985 409,000 
			 1986 404,600 
			 1987 404,900 
			 1988 402,400 
			 1989 397,100 
			 1990 397,600 
			 1991 394,800 
			 1992 394,000 
			 1993 395,900 
			 1994 397,000 
			 1995 399,600 
			 1996 399,800 
			 1997 399,200 
			 1998 397,700 
			 1999 401,200 
			 2000 404,600 
			 2001 410,200 
			 2002(7) 419,600 
		
	
	(7) Data for January 2002 are provisional

Teachers

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans she has to specify a minimum level of non-contact time for teachers who are teaching the core subjects of maths and English; and if she will make a statement.

David Miliband: Consultation on the recommendations in the School Teachers' Review Body's report on teacher work loads came to an end yesterday. The Department's consultation letter of 8 May said that my right hon. Friend would consult again on practical measures as appropriate in the light of this initial consultation. For the time being the Department is evaluating the initial consultation responses. Further consultation is likely to take place in the early autumn.

Nurture Groups

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans she has to provide funding for a nurture group for each English primary school; and if she will make a statement.

David Miliband: Funding of 174 million has been available during 200102 for schools and LEAs to deal with problems of poor behaviour. Many schools have used this funding to develop early intervention work, including nurture groups, for vulnerable children.

School Budgets

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans she has to give schools greater flexibility over allocating moneys received from central Government.

David Miliband: The Government have already simplified the operation of the Standards Fund, by far the largest specific grant for education. Since April 2001 schools have had more freedom to move funds between the different Standards Fund activities; separate auditing of the Standards Fund is no longer required; and the spending period for the Standards Fund was extended from 12 months to 17 months to give schools even more flexibility in planning expenditure. The Government also committed to make more transparent the local government funding system, as set out in the local government White Paper.

Standard Spending Assessment (Somerset)

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans she has to increase the level of the standard spending assessment per pupil in Somerset to the average such figure for England; and if she will make a statement.

David Miliband: We intend to commence consultation on detailed options for a new education funding system shortly, which will run over the summer. We will take decisions in time for the local government finance settlement and implement the new system in 200304. At this stage it is not possible to say how individual authorities will be affected by the new system.

Value-added League Tables

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether value-added league tables are available for all schools; and if she will make a statement.

David Miliband: This year, we intend to publish value- added measures in the secondary school performance tables of progress made from Key Stage 2 to Key Stage 3 and from Key Stage 3 to GCSE/GNVQ for all secondary schools. We are also conducting a pilot programme for measures of progress made from Key Stage 1 to Key Stage 2 for primary schools, with full publication planned for 2003. We aim to pilot a measure of value-added between Key Stage 2 and GCSE/GNVQ in 2003, and between GCSE/GNVQ and A/AS level in 2004, prior to full publication the following year.

Education Action Zones

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many education action zones exist; where they are; and if she will make a statement.

David Miliband: There are 73 Statutory Education Action Zones. The table indicates where they are located:
	
		
			 Education action zone Local education authority 
		
		
			 Ashington Northumberland 
			 Aston and Nechells Birmingham 
			 Barnsley Barnsley 
			 Barrow Cumbria 
			 Bedford Bedfordshire 
			 Blackburn with Darwen Blackburn with Darwen 
			 Breightmet and Tonge Bolton 
			 Bridgwater Somerset 
			 Bristol Bristol 
			 Camborne Pool Redruth Cornwall 
			 Clacton and Harwich Essex 
			 Corby Northamptonshire 
			 Coventry Coventry 
			 Derby North East Derby 
			 Dingle Granby Toxteth Liverpool 
			 Downham and Bellingham Lewisham 
			 Dudley Dudley 
			 Easington and Seaham Durham 
			 East Basildon Essex 
			 East Brighton Brighton and Hove 
			 East Cleveland Redcar and Cleveland 
			 East Manchester Manchester 
			 Ellesmere Port Cheshire 
			 Gloucester Gloucestershire 
			 Great Yarmouth Norfolk 
			 Greenwich Greenwich 
			 Grimsby North East Lincolnshire 
			 Hackney Hackney 
			 Halifax Calderdale 
			 Hastings and St. Leonards East Sussex 
			 Herefordshire Herefordshire 
			 Hull Kingston upon Hull 
			 Kent-Somerset Virtual Kent and Somerset 
			 Kitts Green/Shard End Birmingham 
			 Lambeth Lambeth 
			 Leicester City of Leicester 
			 Leigh Wigan 
			 Leigh Park Hampshire 
			 Middlesbrough Middlesbrough 
			 NE Derbyshire Coalfields Derbyshire 
			 NE Sheffield Sheffield 
			 New Addington Croydon 
			 Newcastle Newcastle-upon-Tyne 
			 Newham Newham 
			 North Gillingham Medway Towns 
			 North Islington Islington 
			 North Southwark Southwark 
			 North Stockton Stockton 
			 Nottingham Nottingham 
			 NW Shropshire Shropshire 
			 Oxford Hamilton Oxford 
			 Peterlee Durham 
			 Plymouth Plymouth 
			 Preston Lancashire 
			 Rainbow (Stoke) Stoke 
			 Salford and Trafford Salford and Trafford 
			 SE England Virtual Bromley and Essex 
			 SE Sheffield Sheffield 
			 Slough Slough 
			 South Bradford Bradford 
			 South Tyneside South Tyneside 
			 Southend Southend 
			 Speke Garston Liverpool 
			 Sunderland Sunderland 
			 Telford and Wrekin Telford and Wrekin 
			 Thetford Norfolk 
			 Wakefield Wakefield 
			 Wednesbury Sandwell 
			 Westminster Westminster 
			 Weston North Somerset 
			 Withernsea and Southern Holderness East Riding 
			 Wolverhampton Wolverhampton 
			 Wythenshawe Manchester 
		
	
	There are also 102 EiC Action Zones which form part of the Excellence in Cities initiative, and are located in EiC areas.

School Admissions

Colin Pickthall: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what mechanisms she has to guarantee fair admissions in the secondary school system as restructured according to her plans.

David Miliband: The Education Bill will place a duty on LEAs to co-ordinate the admissions process for their area. Every admission authority in that area will have a duty to comply with the agreed co-ordination scheme for their area. The scheme will set out a common timetable for local admissions, and ensure that all parents state their preferred schools on a single form and are made a single offer of a school place on the same day. This will be fairer than the current systemwhere some parents may hold multiple offers of places, while others have none. All maintained schools and academies will be part of these local schemes. Admission forums will be responsible for monitoring the admissions process in their area, to check that it operates in the best interests of children and parents.

School Leavers

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many pupils left school or formal education at the age of 16 years as a proportion of the total cohort in each local authority area, in each year from 199091 and 200102; and if she will make a statement.

David Miliband: The proportions of 16-year-olds who were not in full-time education in each year 199091 to 19992000, by local education authority, are given in the following table. Some of these will of course be involved in part-time education or work based learning.
	The participation rates by LEA are taken from an annual statistical bulletin, 'Participation in Education and Training by Young People Aged 16 and 17 in Each Local Area and Region, England'. The year 19992000 is the latest for which figures are available.
	
		Non-participation of 16-year-olds in full-time education by LEA, England, 199091 to 19992000
		
			 LEA 199091 199192 199293 199394 199495 199596 199697 199798 199899 19992000 
		
		
			 North East   
			 Cleveland 47 42 39 38 37 38 37 38 37 33 
			 Hartlepool   36 37 34 33 
			 Middlesbrough   39 41 42 32 
			 Redcar and Cleveland   40 41 39 36 
			 Stockton-on-Tees   33 35 33 31 
			
			 Durham 50 45 43 42 43 40 41 41 41 38 
			 Durham41 41 39 
			 Darlington41 41 35 
			
			 Northumberland 48 39 41 36 37 31 32 33 34 32 
			 Gateshead 57 49 44 46 48 40 41 42 38 39 
			 Newcastle upon Tyne 42 33 31 30 33 32 30 35 33 33 
			 North Tyneside 38 32 29 28 33 32 33 33 36 32 
			 South Tyneside 55 51 46 48 45 46 45 48 47 43 
			 Sunderland 52 48 45 45 44 44 48 47 47 44 
			
			 North West   
			 Cheshire 39 35 30 27 29 29 30 28 30 26 
			 Cheshire 25 23 
			 Halton 47 40 
			 Warrington 33 28 
			
			 Cumbria 49 41 39 33 31 32 32 32 31 30 
			 Bolton 45 43 38 34 34 28 32 32 33 26 
			 Bury 31 29 24 28 31 25 26 29 31 28 
			 Manchester 43 33 33 31 36 35 40 40 37 38 
			 Oldham 54 51 41 35 37 36 37 37 34 31 
			 Rochdale 54 51 49 45 50 45 45 43 44 40 
			 Salford 51 52 49 44 49 52 50 51 54 52 
			 Stockport 36 28 25 29 30 32 31 34 33 32 
			 Tameside 52 46 46 41 46 40 37 42 44 38 
			 Trafford 44 48 42 36 39 36 37 35 33 35 
			 Wigan 42 37 33 42 43 42 42 41 42 37 
			 Lancashire 45 42 37 34 40 35 36 35 35 34 
			 Lancashire 36 34 
			 Blackburn with Darwen 29 34 
			 Blackpool 36 36 
			
			 Knowsley 59 56 51 59 49 49 46 49 50 48 
			 Liverpool 43 42 35 33 38 38 41 37 37 36 
			 St. Helens 34 39 30 33 32 27 25 27 28 27 
			 Sefton 31 27 24 22 22 24 23 26 22 20 
			 Wirral 37 33 28 31 31 30 32 29 33 30 
			   
			 Yorkshire and the Humber   
			 Humberside 47 44 39 35 38 34 37 37 35 34 
			 City of Kingston upon Hull   42 48 44 43 
			 East Riding of Yorkshire   34 30 29 28 
			 North East Lincolnshire   37 39 37 35 
			 North Lincolnshire   33 32 31 29 
			   
			 North Yorkshire pre April 1996 37 31 28 23 24 23 25 23 27 26 
			 North Yorkshire post April 1996   26 25 28 27 
			 York   19 19 24 24 
			
			 Barnsley 56 52 46 46 48 48 48 48 47 45 
			 Doncaster 48 45 41 38 40 43 43 42 41 36 
			 Rotherham 41 35 38 34 33 33 34 34 34 27 
			 Sheffield 51 43 41 37 42 43 44 44 46 43 
			 Bradford 47 41 41 40 40 38 38 39 41 37 
			 Calderdale 37 35 35 26 30 34 31 33 30 31 
			 Kirklees 41 36 32 34 37 34 32 33 33 34 
			 Leeds 44 37 37 33 34 35 34 36 37 35 
			 Wakefield 47 41 35 34 35 34 36 30 36 31 
			
			 East Midlands   
			 Derbyshire 42 38 34 34 38 36 36 38 40 32 
			 Derbyshire36 39 32 
			 Derby44 42 34 
			
			 Leicestershire 39 35 30 28 32 30 28 27 26 24 
			 Leicestershire26 28 26 
			 Leicester30 26 25 
			 Rutland6 10 6 
			
			 Lincolnshire 42 36 33 29 34 34 35 33 34 30 
			 Northamptonshire 39 30 27 25 28 29 29 31 30 33 
			 Nottinghamshire 48 41 37 36 38 37 37 38 36 33 
			 Nottinghamshire 34 33 
			 Nottingham 43 34 
			
			 West Midlands   
			 Hereford and Worcester 37 32 28 26 25 26 25 27 25 24 
			 Herefordshire 35 33 
			 Worcestershire 22 22 
			
			 Shropshire 41 34 29 25 27 30 29 29 28 27 
			 Shropshire 26 25 
			 Telford and Wrekin 32 32 
			
			 Staffordshire 45 39 37 34 35 36 35 37 35 33 
			 Staffordshire33 32 30 
			 Stoke on Trent51 48 42 
			
			 Warwickshire 36 29 29 26 29 28 30 30 30 28 
			 Birmingham 43 38 34 30 34 32 33 32 33 31 
			 Coventry 44 34 30 27 32 33 33 35 32 34 
			 Dudley 49 46 40 39 39 40 41 43 38 39 
			 Sandwell 57 52 48 44 40 45 49 46 46 43 
			 Solihull 36 26 24 12 16 19 23 26 20 21 
			 Walsall 48 42 35 35 40 41 43 39 36 33 
			 Wolverhampton 48 40 37 32 32 36 36 39 35 35 
			
			 East of England   
			 Bedfordshire 35 26 25 22 25 25 25 26 24 24 
			 Bedfordshire19 20 22 
			 Luton39 32 29 
			
			 Cambridgeshire 40 30 24 24 28 26 23 29 29 25 
			 Cambridgeshire 29 25 
			 Peterborough 29 26 
			
			 Essex 41 34 30 27 28 28 28 30 29 29 
			 Essex 29 29 
			 Southend-on-Sea 24 25 
			 Thurrock 36 39 
			
			 Hertfordshire 26 18 14 11 15 14 14 15 13 13 
			 Norfolk 43 35 32 27 33 31 33 31 32 31 
			 Suffolk 45 37 33 27 30 29 29 31 29 30 
			
			 London   
			 Inner London 45 31 30 27 31 32 32 30 30 30 
			 Outer London   
			 Barking and Dagenham 59 44 39 39 34 37 30 41 40 39 
			 Barnet 27 14 12 16 17 18 19 16 22 17 
			 Bexley 39 30 27 26 30 27 27 30 29 29 
			 Brent 44 36 38 28 31 28 28 24 27 25 
			 Bromley 34 26 25 18 20 18 20 16 14 12 
			 Croydon 36 24 17 15 17 18 24 23 25 23 
			 Ealing 35 25 24 28 26 32 34 26 31 30 
			 Enfield 36 30 23 18 22 16 16 18 15 15 
			 Greenwich 45 33 33 28 32 31 37 35 38 37 
			 Harrow 20 18 16 21 27 29 30 33 31 31 
			 Havering 44 32 28 21 24 26 29 27 29 28 
			 Hillingdon 39 27 23 24 23 20 20 22 20 20 
			 Hounslow 37 27 18 17 12 15 17 17 12 10 
			 Kingston upon Thames 27 19 17 10 10 7 7 7 7 7 
			 Merton 37 31 24 21 23 23 24 20 30 32 
			 Redbridge 33 20 18 14 17 15 14 12 6 7 
			 Richmond upon Thames 33 19 20 16 10 10 13 27 30 30 
			 Sutton 31 18 17 14 12 16 7 7 11 8 
			 Waltham Forest 42 32 29 27 24 23 20 22 28 26 
			
			 South East   
			 Berkshire 32 21 20 16 20 24 24 24 25 24 
			 Bracknell Forest 25 25 
			 Windsor and Maidenhead 23 19 
			 West Berkshire 22 20 
			 Reading 31 33 
			 Slough 28 22 
			 Wokingham 23 24 
			
			 Buckinghamshire 34 29 27 27 28 29 30 29 29 28 
			 Buckinghamshire22 25 23 
			 Milton Keynes42 40 40 
			
			 East Sussex 37 25 21 19 22 24 25 25 27 25 
			 East Sussex24 26 24 
			 Brighton and Hove26 28 25 
			
			 Hampshire 40 31 27 25 28 26 28 29 30 29 
			 Hampshire29 30 28 
			 Portsmouth27 27 30 
			 Southampton32 32 28 
			
			 Isle of Wight 29 29 22 24 21 21 19 23 20 17 
			 Kent 38 27 23 20 23 24 24 24 23 23 
			 Kent 22 24 
			 Medway 27 20 
			
			 Oxfordshire 38 26 21 21 24 24 25 25 29 28 
			 Surrey 29 22 19 19 20 21 22 21 22 21 
			 West Sussex 30 23 20 16 20 22 23 23 23 23 
			
			 South West   
			 Avon 39 29 22 28 26 25 24 26 28 26 
			 Bath and NE Somerset   10 13 10 9 
			 City of Bristol   33 33 38 33 
			 North Somerset   20 26 27 29 
			 South Gloucestershire   25 26 27 25 
			
			 Cornwall (inc. Isles of Scilly) 32 28 22 21 22 24 23 25 24 22 
			 Devon 39 30 28 25 26 28 28 28 30 28 
			 Devon 31 29 
			 Plymouth 29 27 
			 Torbay 27 25 
			
			 Dorset 37 26 23 18 23 24 22 23 23 23 
			 Dorset26 26 25 
			 Poole23 18 21 
			 Bournemouth13 18 19 
			
			 Gloucestershire 39 28 23 25 24 22 26 26 23 25 
			 Somerset 36 27 25 24 24 26 24 29 27 26 
			 Wiltshire 43 32 29 27 30 28 28 31 29 29 
			 Wiltshire28 27 27 
			 Swindon39 35 32 
			
			 England total 41 33 30 28 30 30 30 30 30 29 
		
	
	Note:
	The figures given in the table are for non-participation in full-time education. Those students in both full-time education and Government support training are included in full-time education figures.
	Source:
	DfES Statistical Bulletins 8/96 and 14/01.

Pensions

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much money was spent by the relevant pension fund on paying pensions to retired (a) teachers and (b) university staff in 200102; if she will estimate the corresponding amounts to be spent in (i) five years' time, (ii) 10 years' time, (iii) 20 years' time and (iv) 30 years' time; if she will estimate in each case the proportion of such liabilities which will arise from (A) unfunded pension schemes and (B) pre-funded pension schemes; and in the case of pre-funded schemes, if she will estimate the value of the corresponding pre-funded funds in each of these years.

David Miliband: The projected expenditure on pension benefits in respect of members of the teachers' pension scheme for the years in question is shown in the table. The teachers' pension scheme, which covers schools, further education establishments and the post 1992 university sector, is an unfunded scheme.
	
		Teachers' pension scheme (England and Wales) --  billion
		
			 Year ending 31 March Projected outgo(8) 
		
		
			 2002 (9)4.0 
			 2007 4.3 
			 2012 4.6 
			 2022 5.0 
			 2032 5.0 
		
	
	(8) Constant earnings terms, real earnings growth 1.5 per cent. a year.
	(9) Based on Actual outgo for 200102 of 3.96 billion.
	Source:
	Government Actuary's Department.
	Academic staff in the pre 1992 universities are generally members of the universities superannuation scheme. This is a fully funded private sector scheme. Non-academic staff in all universities can be members of one of a number of private sector funded schemes or the funded local government pension scheme depending on the pension arrangements made by individual universities.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

Sentence-review

Andrew Turner: To ask the Solicitor-General, pursuant to her answer to the hon. Member for Isle of Wight, 30 April 2002, Official Report, column 635W, if she will provide equivalent figures for each year between the coming into effect of the legislation and April 2001.

Harriet Harman: The following table shows the number of offenders whose sentences were referred by the Law Officers to the Court of Appeal as unduly lenient sentences from 1989 to 1999 and the decisions of the Court of Appeal. Records maintained by the Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers for this period do not distinguish between cases referred to the Law Officers by the CPS, members of public or hon. Members. Nor do the records show how many were not eligible for referral because they were received by the Law Officers out of time.
	The records for 2000 onwards are more detailed. They are being reviewed and I shall, by the end of July, write to the hon. Member and place an answer in the House of Commons Library.
	
		
			  Offenders referred by the Law Officers to the CA Number of references withdrawn Leave Granted by the Court of Appeal Number of referrals Court of Appeal held to be ULS Sentences increased by the Court of Appeal Sentences unchanged by Court of Appeal 
		
		
			 1989 9 2 7  7 1 
			 1990 25 5 19  17 2 
			 1991 26 3 22  18 4 
			 1992 37 4 32  29 3 
			 1993 30 2 28  24 4 
			 1994 50 2 46  39 7 
			 1995 77 4 73  68 5 
			 1996 68 2 64  49 15 
			 1997 70 1 66 58 47 19 
			 1998 95 10 80 74 69 10 
			 1999 89 6 80 72 59 21

MINISTER FOR WOMEN

Private Members' Clubs

David Stewart: To ask the Minister for Women what recent research she has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated which assesses discriminatory treatment experienced by women at private members' clubs open to both men and women.

Patricia Hewitt: There has been no formal assessment of discriminatory treatment experienced by women members of mixed sex private clubs.
	We have consulted interested parties. For example, the Club and Institute Union (CIU), which represents over 2 million club members and to which the vast majority of working men's clubs belong, reports that of their 2680 clubs, some 60 per cent. still deny their female members full rights.

Child Benefit Reductions

Helen Jackson: To ask the Minister for Women what assessment she has made of the effect on women's incomes of reducing child benefit for parents whose children truant.

Patricia Hewitt: The Government are considering a number of measures to combat truancy. We are therefore looking at ways of ensuring parents meet their responsibilities in bringing up their children.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

Beer Sales

Colin Pickthall: To ask the Chairman of the Catering Committee how much beer was sold to the House in (a) 200001 and (b) 200102.

Dennis Turner: During the 12-month period from April 2000 until March 2001, the House of Commons Refreshment Department purchased 61,096 pints of draught beers and lagers and a total of 18,831 bottles of beers and lagers. During the 12 months from April 2001 until March 2002, the Department purchased 53,568 pints of draught beers and lagers and 15,228 bottles.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Pensions Simplification

Andrew Love: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when the Pickering report on pensions simplification will be published.

Andrew Smith: Alan Pickering's report will be published on Thursday 11 July and placed in the Library. Copies for hon. Members will be available in the Vote Office and the report will be published on the Department's internet site at www.dwp.gov.uk.

Child Support Agency

Mark Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to his answer of 19 April 2002, Official Report, column 1213W, on the Child Support Agency, if he will place copies of the OGC Gateway reviews in the Library.

Malcolm Wicks: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mr. Doug Smith. He will write to the hon. Member.
	Letter from Doug Smith to Mr. Todd, dated 3 July 2002
	The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in replying to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency promised a substantive reply by me.
	You ask if, pursuant to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions answer of the 19th April, Official Report column 1213w on the Child Support Agency, if he will place copies of the two OGC Gateway reviews in the Library.
	I do not think that it is appropriate to do so. The strength of the OGC Gateway review process is that it is speedy and generates robust, unvarnished opinion and advice. This is invaluable and I would not wish to see an awareness that a report may become public, to constrain the reviewers willingness to provide advice in this way.
	This concern is recognised in the code of practice on access to government information. This exempts from disclosure, inter alia information whose disclosure would harm the frankness and candour of internal discussion, including: internal opinion, advice, recommendation, consultation and deliberation. Against that background I am sorry but I am unable to reply positively to your request.

Benefits Decision Reviews

David Winnick: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions under what circumstances a Minister will decide to review a decision taken by decision makers on benefits; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Brown: holding answer 10 May 2002
	Decisions on applications to change decisions are made on behalf of the Secretary of State by decision makers who are suitably trained and experienced. The Department has put in place a structured and transparent system for dealing with such applications. Claimants can lodge an appeal to an independent tribunal if they disagree with the decision of the decision maker.

Minimum Income Guarantee

Peter Pike: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners in (a) the north-west, (b) Lancashire and (c) Burnley have claimed the minimum income guarantee, and in each case how many claims have been awarded in the last 12 months.

Ian McCartney: The information requested is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is shown in the table:
	
		
			 Area Number of MIG claims 
		
		
			 Burnley parliamentary constituency 3,000 
			 Lancashire 35,400 
			 North-west GOR 244,300 
		
	
	Source:
	Income Support Quarterly Enquiry, February 2002

Income Support Computer Software

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in receipt of (a) pension, (b) income support and (c) both have had their payment delayed as a result of the income support computer software being unable to calculate payment due to increases in retirement pension; if such problems in making payments had been anticipated; if similar failures in processing payments are expected at the beginning of the next financial year; and if he will make a statement.

Ian McCartney: We are not aware of any delay in payments of (a) retirement pension, (b) income support or (c) both as a result of the income support computer software being unable to calculate payment due to increases in retirement pension.

Asylum Seekers

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  if he will make a statement on the mechanism by which the Benefits Agency issues guidance to its offices on working with the Immigration and Nationality Directorate to ensure that the issuing of national insurance numbers, NASS 35 documents and asylum decision letters are co-ordinated;
	(2)  if he will make a statement on the mechanism by which the Benefits Agency has informed its offices of the provision allowing access to documentation directly from NASS if an asylum seeker wishing to have access to mainstream benefits has not received his or her NASS 35 document through the post.

Nick Brown: Procedural bulletins issued routinely to all staff provide guidance on the handling and processing of claims from successful asylum seekers. The transition for asylum seekers moving from National Asylum Support Service support to benefits is, like any claim to benefit, subject to the relevant evidence requirements being satisfied. In some cases this can lead to delays although every effort is made to keep that delay to a minimum.
	A procedural bulletin was issued to all income support and jobseeker's allowance processing staff in December 2001, informing them of new procedures designed to minimise delays in assessing claims to benefit from successful asylum seekers. Where an asylum seeker has reported that they have not received their NASS 35 form, staff are instructed to send a fax to NASS requesting that another one is issued within 48 hours. The NASS 35 provides details of the level of support the person has received from the National Asylum Support Service and the date when the support ceased. This information is necessary so that full rate benefit can be paid. The new procedure was introduced in consultation with the National Asylum Support Service.

Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he intends to reply to the letter to his predecessor dated 7 May from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Ms Winifred Lang.

Andrew Smith: I replied to my right hon. Friend on 28 June 2002.

Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he will reply to the letter to him dated 7 May from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mrs. Abdul Kader.

Andrew Smith: I replied to my right hon. Friend on 3 July.

Young Disabled People

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what representations he has received concerning the impact on young disabled people of the change from severe disablement allowance to incapacity benefit; and what action he is taking to mitigate this, with particular reference to (a) the low income scheme for health charges and (b) non-dependent deductions from housing benefit.

Nick Brown: We have reformed severe disablement allowance (SDA) in order to provide more support to young people disabled early in life who have never had the opportunity to work. Existing SDA recipients under the age of 20 on 6 April 2001 were automatically transferred to long-term incapacity benefit (IB) in April 2002, making them up to 28.10 per week better off. We estimate that around 175,000 young people will benefit from the change over time.
	We have received some representations from hon. Members and a small number of letters from the public about the change.
	Depending on their circumstances, young disabled people receiving IB can qualify for help with NHS charges (for example, prescriptions, dental treatment, sight tests, money-off vouchers for glasses, wigs, fabric supports and help with the cost of travel to hospital for NHS treatment) on the grounds of low income. We recognise that some will no longer have automatic entitlement to this help but many in this group will already be considerably better off as a result of the changes we have introduced and it would be unfair to treat these people differently to other IB recipients.
	Non-dependant deductions are made where a housing benefit recipient has another adult living in the household who could reasonably be expected to make a contribution towards the rent. The level of deduction depends upon the income and other circumstances of the non-dependant adult.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Listed Places of Worship

Barbara Follett: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what money was taken from the English Heritage budget in 2001 to fund the listed places of worship grant scheme.

Kim Howells: English Heritage redirected 2 million in grant in aid in the financial year 200102, from the existing Joint Places of Worship (JPOW) Scheme. For 200102 only, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) agreed to allocate an additional 5 million to the JPOW scheme. English Heritage and the HLF have jointly agreed a revised repair grant scheme for places of worship in England for 200203 which is currently expected to make grants totalling 21 million available for this financial year.

Regulatory Impact Unit

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many members of her Department have been employed in its regulatory impact unit in the past five years; and if she will make a statement.

Kim Howells: Departmental responsibility for regulatory impact issues has been located in various central units over the past five years. The number of posts in the relevant unit has been as follows:
	199798: five full-time posts
	199899: five full-time posts
	19992000: six full-time posts
	200001: four and a half full-time posts
	200102: six and a half full-time posts.

Subtitling

Alan Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent discussions her Department has had with the film industry over subtitled films for deaf people.

Kim Howells: The Department has discussed disability issues, including the provision of subtitled films for deaf people, with the Film Council and the Cinema Exhibitors Association. The Film Council has provision for sub-titled films in its new specialised distribution and exhibition strategy and the Cinema Exhibitors Association is also working towards more subtitled films for the deaf with the provision of new equipment. The Department has also liaised with the audiovisual industry, for example via the Broadcasters Disability Network and the British Video Association, as well as with organisations representing those with hearing difficulties in order to promote the availability of sub-titled material throughout the audiovisual sector.

Subtitling

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how she plans to ensure that the quality standards for television subtitling are maintained once the regulatory requirements for television subtitling are extended to digital cable and satellite in future communications legislation.

Kim Howells: The draft Communications Bill gives OFCOM a requirement to produce, publish and from time to time review, a Code relating to provision of television services for the deaf and visually impaired and the means by which such services should be promoted. The Code will include guidance on the technical standards to be attained for subtitling, as the current Code produced by the Independent Television Commission does. The Code applies to the services listed in subsection (9) of Section 203 of the draft Communication Bill.

Green Minister

Sue Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport who her Department's green minister is; when they (a) have attended and (b) plan to attend meetings of the Green Ministers' Committee; what the outcomes of meetings were for her Department's activities; and if she will make a statement.

Kim Howells: My right hon. and noble Friend Baroness Blackstone is the Minister with responsibility for green issues at the DCMS. This Parliament the Green Ministers Committee has been reconstituted as the Cabinet Sub-Committee of Green Ministers, ENV(G), under the Chairmanship of the Minister for the Environment. It is established practice under exemption two of Part II of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information not to disclose information relating to the proceedings of Cabinet Committees.

Overseas Tourist Offices

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many tourist offices the UK has overseas; where they are located; and what plans she has to extend the UK tourist offices overseas.

Kim Howells: The British Tourist Authority is responsible for marketing Britain overseas as a tourist destination. It has 30 offices overseas located in Austria, Germany (Frankfurt, Berlin), Switzerland, Belgium, Netherlands, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, France, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, India, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, USA (New York, Chicago, Los Angeles), Canada, Brazil and Argentina. We have no plans to extend these offices but the BTA keeps this matter under review.

Regional Television

Andrew Hunter: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations she has received from ITC on ITC's new Charter for Broadcasting in the Nations and Regions.

Kim Howells: The Independent Television Commission kept the Department informed of progress as they negotiated the Charter for Broadcasting in the Nations and Regions with the ITV companies.

Regional Television

Andrew Hunter: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what her policy is in respect of promoting and encouraging regional television; and what further plans she has in this respect.

Kim Howells: The Government's policy is to retain and strengthen the regional dimension to public service broadcasting to ensure that it continues to meet the needs of different communities and cultural interests. The draft Communications Bill contains detailed provisions designed to achieve this.
	Under the Bill, Channel 3 companies will have targets for programmes produced in the regions for the regions, programmes made regionally for national audiences and investment in programme production in the regions. They will also have targets for the provision of high quality regional programmes, including news, a sufficient proportion of which will have to be shown at or around peak time. OFCOM will be required to publish a review of the regional obligations in each Channel 3 licence whenever ownership changes hands and to change licence conditions to meet any concerns arising.
	Channel 4 will have targets for programme production and investment in the regions. Obligations in this area will also be applied to the BBC, through the Agreement with the Secretary of State.

Television Licence

Peter Pike: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many pensioners over 75 years old in (a) the North West, (b) Lancashire and (c) Burnley receive free television licences.

Kim Howells: TV Licensing, which administers the free television licence scheme for the BBC as Licensing Authority, is not able to provide geographical breakdowns of the number of free licences issued. However, estimates based on the 1991 Census indicate that there were approximately 368,000 people aged 75 or over in the North West Government Office Region, 97,000 in Lancashire and 6,400 in the Burnley constituency.

Television Licence

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many prosecutions undertaken by Television Licensing in each of the last five years resulted in a custodial sentence; and what was the length of the sentence in each case.

Kim Howells: holding answer 1 July 2002
	Custodial sentences are not available for television licence evasion, the maximum penalty being a fine. However, custodial sentences can be imposed for non-payment of such a fine. The number of people in England and Wales received into prison for non-payment of fines for TV Licence evasion, by sentence length and year, in each of the last five years was as follows:
	
		
			 Sentence Lengths 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 
		
		
			 Up to and including three months 235 167 180 37 28 
			 GT 3 LE six months 1 2
			 GT 12 LE 18 months  1
			 GT 18 months LE three years1  
			  
			 Total 236 170 180 38 28

Departmental Energy Use

Andrew Stunell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the estimated (a) level and (b) cost of energy use in her Department and associated agencies was in each year since 1997; what proportion of energy was generated from renewable sources; and if she will make a statement.

Kim Howells: The Department did not retain details of energy levels until 200001. Energy costs since 199798, and levels from 200001 are as follows.
	
		
			 Year kilowatt hours 000 
		
		
			 199798  311 
			 199899  107 
			 19992000  133 
			 200001 3.9 146 
			 200102 (10)2.6 112 
		
	
	(10) Reflects release of a building
	The Department has not bought from renewable sources in the past but is planning buy a proportion of energy from such sources when contracts are re-let later in the year.
	Figures for the Royal Parks Agency are:
	
		
			 Year kilowatt hours 000 
		
		
			 1997 7.9 311 
			 1998 7.9 305 
			 1999 6.5 313 
			 2000 7.6 247 
			 2001 7.3 211 
		
	
	Note:
	None of the energy consumed in the above periods by the Royal Parks Agency was procured from renewable sources.

Digital Television

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions she has had with the BBC about their bid for a multiplex licence.

Kim Howells: holding answer 1 July 2002
	My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has had no discussions with the BBC about their bid. This is a matter for the ITC.

The Dome

Alan Beith: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list the names and amounts paid by (a) sponsors and (b) contributors to the Dome who did not make confidentiality a condition of their donation; and (i) how much money and (ii) how many donations remain subject to confidentiality.

Kim Howells: Official sponsors of the Millennium Experience were: Boots (supported by L'Oreal and Roche), BskyB, BT, City of London (a consortium of Corporation of London, Barclays, CGU, NatWest, Prudential), Ford, Manpower, Marks and Spencer, McDonalds and Tesco.
	Official partners were: BAA, BAE, British Airways, Camelot and Marconi.
	Official suppliers were: 3Com, Coca-Cola, Compaq, Daily Mail, Kodak, Mars, Thames Water, Typhoo and Walls.
	Sponsorship for the Faith zone came from the Laing Family Trusts, the Hinduja Foundation and other Christian trusts including the Jerusalem Trust.
	Other contributors, in various ways, were: De Beers, Halifax, London borough of Greenwich, Reuters and Woolwich.
	The total amount of sponsorship obtained by the New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) was 120 million cash and value in kind, not including direct funding by BT and Ford of the costs of their zones or extra funding for marketing and promotion spent by a number of sponsors over and above the requirements of their contracts. Actual payments of cash and value in kind following negotiations are subject to various confidentiality requirements of the contracts and agreements between the NMEC and contributors.

DEFENCE

Entertainment Costs

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list for 199798 and for each subsequent financial year, including the current year to date, the amount spent by (a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) its non-departmental public bodies on (i) food and (ii) alcohol, indicating how much was spent on guests, and how much in respect of (A) Ministers and (B) staff, broken down to show how much was provided directly by his Department and how much reclaimed.

Lewis Moonie: The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Part-time Employees

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many and what proportion of the staff of his Department are part-time employees.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 10 April 2002
	I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him on 10 April 2002, Official Report, column 49W, by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office (Mr. Leslie).

Regulatory Impact Unit

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of his Department have been employed in its Regulatory Impact Unit in the past five years; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: As a non-regulatory Department, the Ministry of Defence does not have a dedicated Regulatory Impact Unit. Five years ago the MOD's focal point was a civilian in the MOD Procurement Executive (now Defence Procurement Agency). From early 1999 issues relating to regulatory impact have been addressed by two civilian members of staff, as part of their wider remit to assess the potential impacts of EU legislation on the Ministry of Defence.

Services (Foreign Nationals)

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many foreign nationals are serving in the (a) Army, (b) Royal Navy, and (c) Royal Air Force; which countries they were recruited from; and how many were in each service in 1995.

Adam Ingram: The number of foreign nationals serving in the Army in 2002 and 1995 by country is shown on the following table.
	There is no nationality marker held on the Personnel Record of Service for the Naval Service although information on ethnicity and religion is held.
	The RAF holds some information on 'not British' personnel, however, data are not accurate enough to provide a reliable estimate.
	
		
			 Nationality (NOW) 1 April 1995 1 April 2002 
		
		
			 Aden   
			 African Country   
			 America 1 6 
			 Antigua (Leeward Is.)  2 
			 Australia 78 72 
			 Bahama Islands  1 
			 Bangladesh 1 2 
			 Barbados 8 6 
			 Barbuda (Leeward Is.) 1  
			 Belgium 1  
			 Belize  3 
			 Britain/Singapore 2 3 
			 British Commonwealth/Foreign Rest. 1 2 
			 Brunei 1  
			 Cameroon Republic  1 
			 Canada 60 66 
			 Cyprus 4 2 
			 Denmark 2  
			 Dominica (Windward Isl.) 1 1 
			 Dominican Republic  2 
			 Egypt 3 1 
			 Falkland Islands 2 1 
			 Fiji 3 1,053 
			 France   
			 Gambia  16 
			 Germany 8 4 
			 Ghana 5 99 
			 Gibraltar  1 
			 Grenada (Windward Is.)  14 
			 Guyana 3 3 
			 Hong Kong 6 5 
			 India 13 18 
			 Jamaica 34 240 
			 Kenya 3 24 
			 Lebanon   
			 Malawi 1 6 
			 Malaysia 3 3 
			 Malta GC 10 6 
			 Mauritius 2 5 
			 Montserrat (Leeward Is.) 2 2 
			 Namibia (Fmlay SW African)  1 
			 Nepal 4 10 
			 Netherlands  1 
			 New Zealand 58 46 
			 New Zealand Islands  15 
			 Nigeria 1 17 
			 Norway 1 1 
			 Pacific Islands  1 
			 Pakistan 2 7 
			 Papua  1 
			 Republic of Ireland 203 204 
			 Rhodesia 5 5 
			 Seychelles  1 
			 Sierra Leone 2 6 
			 Singapore  1 
			 South Africa 9 226 
			 Sri Lanka 2 4 
			 St. Helena 1 22 
			 St. Kitts Island 2 1 
			 St. Lucia Island  17 
			 St. Vincent Island 1 168 
			 Sweden 2 1 
			 Switzerland 1 1 
			 Tanzania 1  
			 Tongan Islands  3 
			 Trinidad and Tobago 10 30 
			 Uganda 2 3 
			 West IndiesBritish 9 3 
			 Zambia  3 
			 Zimbabwe 26 190 
			 Stateless  1 
			
			 Grand total 601 2,659 
			
			 Gurkhas 4,325 3,795

Gulf War Syndrome

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the decision made on 22 May by the Pensions Appeal Tribunal to oblige the Government to accept the diagnosis of Gulf War Syndrome in the case of a former member of the UK armed forces.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 13 June 2002
	The Pensions Appeal Tribunal's decision in the recent case involving Gulf War Syndrome is specific to that case. It does not set a legal precedent for other war pension claims. The Tribunal found that the Ministry of Defence had failed to show beyond reasonable doubt that Gulf War Syndrome was not attributable to service. However the overwhelming consensus of medical and scientific opinion is that the symptoms reported by some Gulf veterans do not constitute a discrete disorder. It would be wrong to interpret from the Tribunal's finding that Gulf War Syndrome does exist.
	The fact that there is, at present, no proper basis for recognising Gulf War Syndrome as an appropriate diagnostic label does not prevent a Gulf Veteran getting a war pension. A war pension can be paid for any disablement provided that a causal link to service is accepted.

Chinook

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his assessment is of the level of airworthiness of the RAF Chinook HC2 fleet at the time of the fatal accident on the Mull of Kintyre on 2 June 1994.

Adam Ingram: In November 1993, the Chinook Mk 2 fleet had been given an interim Controller Aircraft (CA) release, permitting the aircraft to be operated at a maximum all-up weight of 18,000 kg. This would have enabled the aircraft to be safely operated on one engine. On 1 March 1994 this weight limit was increased to 22,700 kg when using under-slung-loads. The fleet was given these flight clearances as the Ministry of Defence had no doubts about its safe operation.

Hawk T1

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what representations his Department has received concerning the time required to convert the Hawk T1 trainer into a weapons delivery system;
	(2)  what representations his Department has received regarding the capacity of the Hawk T1 to deliver (a) air-to- surface munitions and (b) nuclear air-to-surface munitions; and if he will make a statement.

Geoff Hoon: The Hawk aircraft has been an exceptionally successful export in both its training and operational roles. The Ministry of Defence does not have available records of representations made on these issues over the years. No Hawk aircraft have been converted to deliver nuclear air-to-surface munitions.

RNAS Yeovilton

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to ensure that the training and experience of helicopter pilots at RNAS Yeovilton is up to date.

Adam Ingram: A multi-level system exists to ensure that all helicopter aircrew are sufficiently trained to carry out any mission that they may be called upon to undertake.
	All helicopter crews initially pass through the military flying training system where standards are set and monitored by the tri-service Central Flying School.
	Crews in operational squadrons are monitored by the squadron training officer, who ensures that all crews maintain flying currency in accordance with the flying training directive produced by the Assistant Chief of Staff Aviation.
	While in squadron service all crews undertake periodic examinations and flying tests to confirm their proficiency. The Naval Flying Standards Flight, made up of senior, experienced instructors external to the units and squadrons, visits squadrons and examines all aircrew, producing written reports on their capability.

Lynx

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the expected service life is of the Lynx Mark 8.

Adam Ingram: The Maritime Lynx Helicopter Force based at RNAS Yeovilton operates both the Mk 3 and Mk 8 Lynx aircraft. Both variants are managed as one fleet. The Maritime Lynx was introduced into service in the mid-1970s. At current flying rates, the bulk of the fleet will reach its specified airframe fatigue life limits in 2008, however, the first airframe will be withdrawn for disposal in 2004. The intention is to replace both the Mk 8 and Mk 3 aircraft with the Surface Combatant Maritime Rotorcraft.

MOD Police

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list those locations where more than five MOD police personnel are based.

Adam Ingram: The following locations have a permanent complement of more than five Ministry of Defence police officers.
	MOD police HQ Essex
	Area policing teams
	Aldershot
	Chatham
	Devonport
	Bovington
	Corsham 1
	Innsworth
	South Wiltshire
	Dishforth
	Preston
	Gosport
	Chilwell
	Donnington
	Colchester
	Feltham
	Whitehall
	Criminal investigation departments
	Aldershot
	Foxhill
	Catterick
	Clyde
	Central London
	Stations
	DLO Andover
	Bordon Garrison
	DEFRA Fort Halstead
	RAF Hythe
	Longcross Barracks
	Solent Station Marchwood
	RMA Sandhurst
	DSL Beaconsfield
	Bicester Garrison
	AWE Burghfield
	RMCS Shrivenham
	RAF Welford
	RNAS Culdrose
	BRNC Dartmouth
	MOD Abbeywood
	JSU Corsham
	DERA Boscombe Down
	RAF Fairford
	Larkhill Garrison
	AAC Netheravon
	Porton Down
	Winterbourne Gunner
	RNAS Yeovilton
	HMS Forest Moor
	RAF Fylingdales
	AFC Harrogate
	DM Longtown
	RAF Menwith Hill
	DM Dean Hill 2
	RDMC Fort Blockhouse
	DM Gosport
	HMNB Portsmouth
	NATO Balado Bridge
	DM Beith
	RNSE Caledonia
	HMNB Clyde
	DM Coulport
	DM Crombie
	DM Glen Douglas
	RNAS Prestwick
	QinetiQ West Freugh 3
	DSDC Donnington
	Hereford Garrison
	DM Kineton
	RM Llantrisant
	QinetiQ Pendine 3
	RAF Stafford
	RAF Alconbury
	Colchester Garrison
	Regents Park Barracks
	Feltham Station
	RAF Lakenheath
	Mill Hill
	QinetiQ Shoeburyness 3
	US(N) London
	AWE Aldermaston
	RAF West Drayton
	Woolwich Garrison
	1 The complement at this site is currently the subject of consultation with the Defence Police Federation. In the meantime, however, some officers from Corsham are being detached on a temporary basis to help reduce overtime where it is currently high.
	2 Site due to close.
	3 MDP complement due to be withdrawn.

MOD Police

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to reduce the number of MOD police.

Adam Ingram: The overall strength of the Ministry of Defence police is kept under constant review to ensure that the staffing levels of the force match the tasking requirements. This will involve both the creation and the discontinuance of posts at different locations, and, where appropriate, the transfer of personnel.

MOD Police

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many MOD police there were in (a) 1997 and (b) on the latest date for which figures are available.

Adam Ingram: The strength of the force on 31 May 1997 was 3,807 officers and 3,338 on 31 May 2002.

Submarines

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many fleet submarines are at sea.

Adam Ingram: As of 2 July 2002 we had six fleet submarines operationally at sea, and one at sea conducting sea trials. The remaining five are either in extended periods of maintenance, or at extended readiness.

Submarines

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Tomahawk armed SSNs will be operational in this and each of the next five years.

Adam Ingram: On current plans, the number of Tomahawk-capable SSNs which will be operational in this and the next five years are as follows:
	
		
			 Year Number 
		
		
			 2002 5 
			 2003 4 
			 2004 4 
			 2005 5 
			 2006 6 
			 2007 6 
		
	
	This does not take into account maintenance periods.

Munitions Depots

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the area is of the munitions depot at West Dean, Wiltshire; and what percentage is (a) buildings, (b) roads and hard standing, (c) farmland, (d) woodland and (e) designated as a SSSI.

Adam Ingram: The Defence Munitions Depot, Dean Hill has a total area of some 236 hectares (583 acres). Building development is of low density and disbursed across the whole site. There are 1.3 hectares of underground storage within the hillside and approximately five hectares of buildings. These are connected by an infrastructure of roads, rail, services and bonded storage which is contained within a footprint of approximately 75 hectares or 31 per cent. of the total. 36 per cent. of the site is let for agricultural purposes, while woodland constitutes 15 per cent. The site of special scientific interest (SSSI) extends to some 43 hectares or 18 per cent. of the total, and it should be noted that part of the woodland is within the SSSI.

Munitions Depots

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of (a) stored munitions and (b) engineering and munitions maintenance work is carried out at Dean Hill for each of the three armed services.

Adam Ingram: 48 per cent. by volume of the munitions stored at Dean Hill are held in support of the Navy and 52 per cent. in support of the RAF. However, munitions stocks held at Dean Hill represent less than four per cent. of munitions stored by Defence Munitions on behalf of all three armed services.
	In the last year, 49 per cent. of engineering and munitions maintenance work at Dean Hill was carried out in support of the Navy and 51 per cent. in support of the RAF. Again, however, this represents about four per cent. of the processing capacity within Defence Munitions.

Munitions Depots

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the criteria used to decide which munitions depot to dispose of; and if he will list the depots against which Dean Hill competed.

Adam Ingram: An internal rationalisation study, known as Defence Munitions Rationalisation Study 2 (DMRS 2), started in 2001, and examined the best utilisation of Defence Munitions (DM) facilities throughout the United Kingdom. An earlier study (DMRS 1) had already recommended two other site closures at DM Welford on Berkshire and DM Smalmstown near Carlisle in 2000.
	Even after the impact of the closure of the Welford and Smalmstown sites has been taken into account, DMRS 2 confirmed that spare capacity remains in DM's explosives storage and processing capacity.
	The DMRS 2 team examined munitions storage, processing and supply issues. Most of DM's eight principal depots cover a variety of these outputs. The study drew these elements together to determine how the necessary capacity could most efficiently be retained. Taking all of these elements into account, it was concluded that only the capacity and facilities provided by the DM Depot at Dean Hill, near to West Dean village in south Wiltshire, was not critical to the delivery of DM's outputs. The other Defence Munitions depots are required either for the volume of explosives storage and processing capacity they offer and/or have specialised (often unique) facilities to outload and issue munitions to customers.
	All eight Defence Munitions depots were included in the review. Apart from DM Dean Hill, these are DM Beith in Ayrshire, DM Crombie in Fife, DM Glen Douglas in Dunbartonshire, DM Gosport in Hampshire, DM Kineton in Warwickshire, DM Longtown in Cumbria and DM Plymouth in Devon.

Married Quarters

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 25 June 2002, Official Report, column 749W, on married quarters, what criteria are used to assign standards to service families accommodation.

Adam Ingram: The Defence Housing Executive (DHE) uses a Standard for Condition rating system. Properties are categorised as being Standard 1, 2, 3 or 4 according to points for each of a number of attributes including bathroom and kitchen facilities, electrical sockets, building fabric, safety, and energy efficiency. A property is graded Standard 1 for Condition (SIFC) only if all the attributes are assessed as being at Standard 1.

Forces Manpower

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether there is full manning of the (a) Royal Air Force and (b) Royal Navy; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: The RAF is in broad manning balance. However, shortfalls remain in a number of branches and trades. The RAF aim is to meet the Public Service Agreement (PSA), so that full manning against the requirement within a tolerance band of +1/-2 per cent. will be achieved by March 2004. The naval service will not now reach its PSA target of full manning within a tolerance band of +1/-2 per cent. in 2004, but it is determined to do so by 2005 and work continues on measures to achieve this.

Non-munition Stocks

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the book value of non-munition stocks was in (a) 1997, (b) 1998 and (c) April 2001; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: Information was not presented on a Resource Accounting basis until financial year 19992000. Consequently, the information sought for 1997 and 1998 is not available. The opening and closing balances for non-munition stocks in financial year 200001 1 were:
	
		
			 Financial year 200001(11)  million 
		
		
			 Opening balance (12),(13)5,295 
			 Closing balance (12),(13)4,573 
		
	
	(11) The Departmental Resource Accounts for 200001 were the subject of NAO qualification.
	(12) Figures are book values after deducting provisions from gross stock values.
	(13) Figures are subject to normal Modified Historic Accounting indexation, and are rounded to the nearest whole.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Harold Shipman

James Purnell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has set a tariff in the case of Harold Shipman.

David Blunkett: I do not usually comment on the tariff decided in individual life sentence prisoner cases. However, I recognise that Harold Shipman's crimes raise issues of particular public concern and I therefore intend to depart from my usual practice in this case. Harold Shipman was convicted in January 2000 on 15 counts of murder. I extend my deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the victims. These were the most heinous of offences and the grossest breach of the duty of trust he owed as a doctor to the victims all of whom were trusting patients. Taking all the circumstances into account I have decided that nothing less than a whole life tariff should apply in this case.

British Overseas Citizens

Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the future of British overseas citizens who hold no other nationality.

Beverley Hughes: Following representations made during passage of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Bill about the continuing difficulties faced by British Overseas Citizens who have no other nationality, my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has decided that those British Overseas Citizens who currently do not hold, and have never given up another nationality will be given an entitlement to register as British citizens. We are doing this to address the situation which left those people concerned with no right of abode in any country. An amendment to this effect will be made to the Bill at Report Stage in the House of Lords. Applicants will be dealt with at our posts overseas and will not need to meet any United Kingdom residence requirements. There will be no deadline for applications.

Fireworks

David Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what additional steps he plans to take to restrict the use of fireworks.

Melanie Johnson: I have been asked to reply.
	I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given yesterday by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to my hon. Friend the Member for Motherwell and Wishaw, Official Report, column 218.

Rural Awareness

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  when his Department will establish rural targets and monitoring as part of overall rural proofing measures as set out in the Countryside Agency's report Rural Proofing in 200102;
	(2)  when his Department will introduce measures to raise rural awareness through staff (a) training, (b) development and (c) secondments as part of overall rural proofing measures set out in the Countryside Agency's report Rural Proofing in 200102;
	(3)  when his Department will implement proofing and checklist measures as part of overall rural proofing measures set out in the Countryside Agency's report Rural Proofing in 200102.

Beverley Hughes: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my hon. Friend the Member for Wallasey (Angela Eagle) on 20 May 2002, Official Report, column 82W.

Road Traffic Penalties

Michael Spicer: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will publish the results of the consultation on road traffic penalties.

Hilary Benn: holding answer 25 June 2002
	We are currently in the final stages of formulating the Government's response to the consultation exercise on road traffic penalties.

Voluntary Sector

Gary Streeter: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 30 April 2002, to the hon. Member for West Dorset (Mr. Letwin), Official Report, column 703W, on Government funding of the voluntary sector, how the voluntary sector has been defined for the purpose of the estimates; and whether some categories of non-governmental organisation have been excluded from this definition.

Beverley Hughes: The definition used for the purposes of the estimates is the same as that published in the report on Central Government Funding of Voluntary and Community Organisations 198283 to 19992000 (annexe B, page 23) ISBN 1 84082 6363, copies of which are available in the Library.
	Some categories of non-governmental organisation are excluded under this definition, i.e. universities, non- departmental public bodies, political parties, informal groups and self-help groups directly run by clinicians.

Voluntary Sector

Gary Streeter: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 30 April 2002, to the right hon. Member for West Dorset (Mr. Letwin), Official Report, column 703W, on Government funding for the voluntary sector, if he will break down the figure for (a) other state sources, by type of statutory body, (b) lottery funding by lottery distributor, (c) local government by local authority, (d) central Government by department and (e) European funds by Directorate- General; and in the case of (e), what EU funding for the voluntary sector is given in the other member states.

Beverley Hughes: The full information requested on a breakdown of funding to the voluntary sector from all these sources is not routinely collated by Government and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	Information on central Government funding by Department was published in the report on Central Government Funding of Voluntary and Community Organisations 198283 to 19992000 (pages (45) ISBN 1 84082 6363, copies of which are available in the Library.

Dumped Vehicles

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the steps the police take to track down the owners of dumped vehicles.

Bob Ainsworth: holding answer 2 July 2002
	The police and local authorities have a joint responsibility for the removal of abandoned vehicles and taking action as appropriate against their owners. When a vehicle is reported or discovered apparently abandoned on the highway, the police will carry out a number of checks to ensure it is not stolen, illegally parked, or causing an obstruction or danger. If it is, removal of the vehicle will be arranged as soon as possible. Once the vehicle is removed, the police will take steps to identify the last registered keeper of the vehicle via a search of vehicle keepership information on the police national computer.
	Where an apparently abandoned vehicle is not of police interest, details are forwarded to the local authority, which has responsibility for its removal and ultimate disposal. The Government have recently introduced tough new measures to help local authorities deal more effectively with the problem of abandoned vehicles, including improved access to the Driving Vehicle Licence Agency (DVLA) vehicle records.

Policy Appraisal

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has established a baseline for policy appraisal against which to measure progress on equal treatment; and what progress has been achieved.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 2 July 2002
	In 1998, the Home Office, Department for Education and Skills (DfES) and the Cabinet Office Women's Unit issued Policy Appraisal for Equal Treatment (PAFET) guidelines to all Government Departments. PAFET covers the responsibility officials have for assessing how their work is likely to affect different groups and to take action to ensure this is taken into account from the beginning of the policy process and its evaluation.
	Guidance has been circulated to all senior managers at Grade 7 level and above within the Home Department to ensure that the effects of any policy changes on all sections of the population are considered at the earliest stage of policy development.
	In addition, as a result of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000, listed public bodies are now required to consult on the potential impact of new policies, and to monitor existing policies, to ensure that there is no differential and adverse impact on people from minority ethnic communities.

EU Directives

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the EU directives and regulations that have been implemented through his Department in 2002; and what was the cost of each to public funds.

Bob Ainsworth: No European Union directives and regulations have been implemented through the Home Office in 2002.

Plain Clothes Allowance

Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the proposal to remove the plain clothes allowance to CID officers; and whether he intends to introduce measures requiring police officers to contribute payments towards the cost of their uniforms.

John Denham: The Police Negotiating Board (PNB) reached agreement on 9 May 2002 on a package of modernising reforms to police pay and conditions of service. The PNB is the statutory negotiating body for police pay and conditions of service, on which all the main police organisations are represented, including the Association of Chief Police Officers, the Association of Police Authorities, the Superintendents' Association and the Police Federation.
	One of the reforms agreed is to reduce the plain clothes allowance on 1 April 2003 to half its current rate of 258 and then to abolish it altogether on 1 April 2004. That change has to be seen in the context of all the changes, which include an increase in the basic salary for all federated ranks' officers of 402 a year from 1 April 2003 and a shortening of the federated ranks' pay scales, resulting in faster progression to the top of the scales. Once they have spent a year at the top of the scales, federated ranks officers will be eligible for a new competence-related payment of 1,002 a year, with at least 75 per cent. of those eligible expected to get the payment. In addition, under a new special priority payment scheme to target extra pay at those officers at the sharp end of policing, officers in qualifying posts will receive annual payments of between 500 and 3,000 normally, up to 5,000 exceptionally.
	The PNB Agreement does not require officers to contribute to the cost of their uniforms.

Youth Justice

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many cases involving young people as defendants have been thrown out of magistrates courts in each month in (a) 1999, (b) 2000 and (c) 2001;
	(2)  what assessment his Department has made of the recent trend in court cases involving young people which (a) are adjourned and (b) do not end in a conviction.

Hilary Benn: The information requested for 1999 and 2000 is contained in the table, except for statistics of cases that are adjourned which are not collected centrally.
	
		Persons aged 1017 whose charges were discontinued, discharged, withdrawn or dismissed at magistrates courts, England and Wales, 1999 and 2000, by month -- Number of persons
		
			 Month Proceedings discontinued(14) Discharged Section 6(15) Charge withdrawn(16) Sub-total Charge dismissed(17) Total cases not ending in conviction 
		
		
			 1999   
			 January 695 216 2,388 3,299 378 3,677 
			 February 794 187 2,210 3,191 359 3,550 
			 March 801 218 2,617 3,636 412 4,048 
			 April 688 175 2,158 3,021 353 3,374 
			 May 681 167 2,122 2,970 336 3,306 
			 June 745 172 2,603 3,520 366 3,886 
			 July 795 166 2,504 3,465 409 3,874 
			 August 704 147 2,275 3,126 327 3,453 
			 September 739 184 2,638 3,561 400 3,961 
			 October 678 189 2,408 3,275 375 3,650 
			 November 716 191 2,765 3,672 451 4,123 
			 December 541 168 2,097 2,806 320 3,126 
			  
			 Total 8,577 2,180 28,785 39,542 4,486 44,028 
			
			 2000(14)   
			 January 661 200 2,436 3,297 397 3,694 
			 February 681 168 2,550 3,399 422 3,821 
			 March 758 191 2,616 3,565 483 4,048 
			 April 563 193 2,158 2,914 383 3,297 
			 May 619 205 2,600 3,424 419 3,843 
			 June 733 209 2,756 3,698 459 4,157 
			 July 791 193 2,726 3,710 480 4,190 
			 August 756 195 2,876 3,827 472 4,299 
			 September 651 217 2,543 3,411 513 3,924 
			 October 717 214 2,913 3,844 558 4,402 
			 November 773 192 2,960 3,925 545 4,470 
			 December 563 160 2,213 2,936 435 3,371 
			  
			 Total 8,387 2,349 32,296 43,032 5,590 48,622 
		
	
	(14) Under section 23(3) Prosecution of Offences Act 1985, adjourned 'sine die' etc.
	(15) Discharged under section 6 Magistrates Courts Act 1980 (when examining Justices decide that there is insufficient evidence on which to commit the defendant for trial).
	(16) No evidence offered, not proceeded against or charge withdrawn.
	(17) Under section 9 Magistrates Courts Act 1980 (when the court, after hearing the evidence, decide the defendant is not guilty).
	(18) Staffordshire police were only able to submit sample data for one week in each quarter for persons proceeded against in magistrates courts in 2000. Although sufficient to estimate higher orders of data, estimates derived from these data are not robust enough at a monthly level and have been included in the totals only.

Communications Interception

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to allow (a) the police and (b) other regulatory or investigatory agencies of the state to intercept the e-mails and internet communications to internet websites of private individuals; and if he will make a statement.

David Blunkett: Authority to intercept communications can only be given by the Secretary of State personally. Where the warrant is the result of a request for assistance made under an international mutual assistance agreement and where the subject or premises to which the interception relates appear to be outside the United Kingdom, authority may be given by a senior official. Such authority can only be given to those persons specified in Section 6(2) of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000. They are:
	the Director-General of the Security Service;
	the Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service;
	the Director of the Government Communications Head Quarters;
	the Director-General of the National Criminal Intelligence Service;
	the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis;
	the Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary (now the Police Service of Northern Ireland);
	the chief constable of any police force maintained under or by virtue of section 1 of the Police (Scotland) Act 1967;
	the Commissioners of Customs and Excise;
	the Chief of Defence Intelligence; and
	a person who, for the purposes of any international mutual assistance agreement, is the competent authority of a country or territory outside the United Kingdom.
	Authority can only be given where the Secretary of State is satisfied that the interception is necessary:
	(a) in the interests of national security;
	(b) for the purpose of preventing or detecting serious crime;
	(c) for the purpose of safeguarding the economic well being of the United Kingdom;
	(d) in circumstances where he would issue a warrant under (b) above, to give effect to an international mutual legal assistance agreement.
	The interception of communications is subject to oversight by the Interception of Communications Commissioner.
	The Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Interception of Communications: Code of Practice) Order 2002 was laid before Parliament on 8 May 2002. The Code of Practice sets out in further detail the procedure, safeguards and oversight regimes governing the lawful interception of communications in the United Kingdom.

Communications Interception

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action is being taken to ensure that individuals are protected from invasion of privacy and personal rights when the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 is extended.

David Blunkett: The Government recognise the need to balance respect for personal privacy with legitimate measures to protect the public, especially in the context of rapidly developing technology.
	I have therefore decided to bring forward new proposals in this area in the autumn after consultation over the summer.
	The aim of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 is to provide greater security, clarity and regulation of these activities. First the Act is intended to ensure that:
	public authorities who have been added can only access communications data for one of the specified purposes in the Act;
	such access will have to be proportionate to what it seeks to achieve;
	use of the power will be subject to oversight by the Interception of Communications Commissioner; and
	anyone who thinks their data has been wrongly accessed will have the right to complain to the Investigatory Powers Tribunal.

Communications Interception

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what he will do to warn users of the Internet that the Government will be monitoring them.

David Blunkett: There is no question of general monitoring of users of any means of communication in the United Kingdom (UK) including the internet. An agency listed in section 6(2) of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 which applies for authority to intercept communications must identify either one person or a set of premises as the interception subject. Authority must be given in each case by the Secretary of State personally and will not be given except when the Secretary of State is satisfied that the interception is necessary for a specified purpose and proportionate to what is sought to be achieved. The purposes are the prevention and detection of serious crime, the protection of national security and safeguarding the economic well-being of the United Kingdom. The fact of an individual interception is not, of course, disclosed to the target.
	With regard to communications data (i.e. not the content of a communication but data related to it), the aim of Chapter II of Part 1 of RIPA is to provide greater security, clarity and regulation of this activity as well as to introduce proper procedures for oversight and complaints.
	In relation to implementation of this part of the Act, I will be bringing forward new proposals in the autumn following detailed public consultation in order to secure public confidence that arrangements balance respect for personal privacy with legitimate measures to protect the public.

HMP Holloway

Rudi Vis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether staff at HMP Holloway were permitted to watch the England against Nigeria football match on 12 June; and if visits to prisoners continued during this period.

Hilary Benn: There were no special arrangements made for prison staff at Holloway to watch the England against Nigeria football match. The prison arranged for all prisoners to be unlocked in time for the match, so that they could either watch it in their cells or on association. Some staff came in early to enable this to happen. Staff supervising association will have been able to watch the match with prisoners.
	The match had no impact on visits as domestic visits do not occur on weekday mornings at Holloway. Visits on the afternoon of 12 June were slightly delayed due to staff shortages and the need to train a new drug dog.

Brixton Prison

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prison officers working in Brixton between 1996 and April 2002 who had previous military experience had served in Northern Ireland.

Hilary Benn: Information on the earlier careers of prison staff is not held in the form required by the question and could only be obtained by asking individuals. As previously explained to my hon. Friend in a written answer from my hon. Friend the Member for Stretford and Urmston (Beverley Hughes) on 11 June 2002, Official Report, column 1243W, this would involve examining around 1,300 files and interviewing several hundred staff, many of whom no longer work for the Prison Service. This could be carried out only at disproportionate cost.

Prison Service

Paul Stinchcombe: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which prisons in England and Wales have been opened since January 1992; and when they first received prisoners.

Hilary Benn: The Prison Service records a prison's opening date as the date from which the prison receives its first prisoners. Since January 1992, 20 prisons have opened in England and Wales. These prisons are listed in the table.
	
		
			  Prison Opening date 
		
		
			 Elmley February 1992 
			 Bullingdon March 1992 
			 Wolds April 1992 
			 Holme House May 1992 
			 Woodhill July 1992 
			 Highdown August 1992 
			 Lancaster Farms March 1993 
			 Blakenhurst May 1993 
			 Doncaster June 1994 
			 Buckley Hall December 1994 
			 Eastwood Park March 1996 
			 Colchester February 1997 
			 Weare July 1997 
			 Parc November 1997 
			 Altcourse December 1997 
			 Lowdham Grange February 1998 
			 Ashfield November 1999 
			 Forest Bank January 2000 
			 Rye Hill January 2001 
			 Dovegate July 2001 
		
	
	Ashfield, Buckley Hall and Lowdham Grange are new establishments built on former prison sites. Eastwood Park was reopened following a major refurbishment after being closed in December 1992. Colchester opened in 1997 as a young offender institution. The establishment piloted a high intensity training camp regime and closed when the pilot finished in February 1998.

Prison Service

Paul Stinchcombe: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners in England and Wales have a whole life tariff.

Hilary Benn: There are at present 23 people in custody in England and Wales with whole life tariffs.

Parole Licences

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many individuals in the last 12 months had their licences revoked and were consequently recalled to prison in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: holding answer 2 July 2002
	During the 12 month period ending 31 May 2002, 4,773 determinate prisoners and 19 life sentence prisoners were recalled to prison using the Secretary of State's powers to revoke a prisoner's licence pursuant to sections 38(a)(1) and 39 of the Criminal Justice Act 1991.

Prisoner Costs

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average annual cost is of accommodating a person in (a) a prison and (b) a youth offender institution; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: holding answer 2 July 2002
	The table gives the annual average establishment cost per place in 200102 by category of prison. Figures are expressed in resource terms and exclude capital expenditure and headquarters overheads.
	
		Average annual establishment cost per prison place 200102
		
			
		
		
			 Male closed young offender institution 20,732 
			 Male open young offender institution 20,075 
			 Category B 22,497 
			 Category C 18,463 
			 Dispersal 34,365 
			 Female closed 24,795 
			 Female local 31,310 
			 Female open 21,220 
			 Male juvenile 27,452 
			 Male local 26,878 
			 Male open 17,438 
			 Male remand centre 32,474 
			 Semi open 20,224 
			 Average all establishments 23,500

People Trafficking

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent assessment he has made of the extent of the trafficking of women and children in the UK.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 3 July 2002
	Forming an accurate estimate of the levels of trafficking in people is problematic given the reluctance of the victims of trafficking to report to the police. There is currently no accurate, reliable data in existence within the United Kingdom (UK) or the European Union. A Home Office research study, Stopping Traffic (Police Research Series 125, published in 2000), indicated that there was intelligence to suggest that some women and children are trafficked into the UK for the purposes of sexual exploitation. This was estimated at between 140 and 1,400 per year but it was impossible to make a more accurate assessment of numbers. The report concluded that there was no evidence to suggest that this was on a large scale compared with other European countries.
	The Immigration and Nationality Department Intelligence Section (INDIS) and the National Criminal Intelligence Service (NCIS) produce confidential monthly assessments and annual threat assessments for Reflex, our multi-agency task force on organised immigration crime. These assess the extent of organised immigration crime, which includes the trafficking of women and children, as it impacts on the UK. Reflex is led by the National Crime Squad and brings together all the key agencies involved in combating the problem, including INDIS, NCIS, the security and intelligence agencies and key police forces including the Met, Kent and the British Transport police.

Wolvercote Clinic

Hilton Dawson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if a decision has been made about the future location of the Wolvercote clinic; and if he will make a statement on the provision of residential treatment of sex offenders living in the community.

Hilary Benn: In the interests of public protection, I have commissioned the national probation service to undertake a national review of the provision of residential treatment for sex offenders. This will encompass the work of the Lucy Faithfull foundation, which runs the Wolvercote clinic in Epsom.
	I have also decided not to proceed with the relocation of the Wolvercote clinic to Silverlands.
	The Wolvercote clinic will cease to operate at Horton hospital in Epsom following the sale of the site. Contingency plans will be implemented for the nine remaining residents so that they can complete their treatment on a non-residential basis, and for those under licence or supervision, formal contact with the authorities will continue.

Kevin White Centre (Waiting Times)

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many patients (a) are awaiting treatment and (b) have had to wait for treatment at the Kevin White centre in Merseyside in the last year; and how long the waiting period is on average in each case.

Bob Ainsworth: Figures are not available on the numbers waiting for treatment (or the average waiting time of each case) at the Kevin White centre for 200001.
	The following figures provide an illustration of current access to the unit:
	during April and May 2002 a total of 42 people were admitted into the Kevin White Unit;
	of the 18 people who entered treatment in May 2002, 15 had been waiting less than two months, with only three waiting between three and five months.
	The Government set up the National Treatment Agency last year with the objective of increasing the capacity, quality and effectiveness of drug treatment in England. Since then the NTA has:
	established waiting time targets for drug treatment;
	piloted a co-ordinated system of treatment delivery in eight areas (this aims to integrate all support services); and promoted the shared-care approach to enable GPs to work more effectively with specialist services and drug users in their areas.
	In June 2002, the NTA issued its third paper providing national guidance to Drug Action teams, commissioners and service providers on managing and reducing waiting times for specialist drug treatment.

Detox Units

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people are waiting for places in detox centres in the north west.

Bob Ainsworth: The information requested is not centrally held. From information provided by the 22 Northwest Drug Action Teams (DATs) in treatment plans submitted to the National Treatment Agency (NTA) in January this year, the mean waiting time for access into treatment for in-patient detoxification services and residential rehabilitation in the Northwest is as follows:
	In-patient Detoxification Services
	December 2001:
	Priorityaverage 4.3 weeks (range 020 weeks)
	Non-priorityaverage 13.7 weeks (range 052 weeks)
	December 2002 Forecast:
	Priorityaverage 3.5 weeks (range 010 weeks)
	Non-priorityaverage 8.8 weeks (range 240 weeks)
	Residential Rehabilitation
	December 2001:
	Priorityaverage 5.0 weeks (range 024 weeks)
	Non-priorityaverage 9.5 weeks (range 043 weeks)
	December 2002 Forecast:
	Priorityaverage 3.4 weeks (range 08 weeks)
	Non-priorityaverage 4.7 weeks (range 013 weeks).
	The NTA's priority is to reduce waiting times for treatment. It aims to enable practitioners, managers and commissioners to achieve measurable and sustainable reductions in waiting times, in line with NTA targets.
	The NTA programme will achieve this by equipping local stakeholder teams, at DAT level, with the confidence, knowledge and skills to identify the main causes of avoidable waiting and to implement shared action plans to redress these.

Detox Units

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) drug rehabilitation and (b) detox units there are in the north west of England.

Bob Ainsworth: There are 17 specialist residential rehabilitation units in the North West of England for people recovering from problems with drug use. Non- residential rehabilitative support is available from a large number of community drug teams offering a comprehensive service over most of the region.
	Three of the 17 units also offer detoxification services. Additionally, there are three specialist in-patient detoxification units in the north west of England.
	Many drug users undergo in-patient detoxification in non-specialist beds within existing psychiatric care systems.
	As above, community based detoxification is widely available across the region.

Drug Misusing Offenders

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the level of repeat offending by drug misusing offenders was in (a)1997, (b) 1998 and (c) 2001; and if he will make a statement.

Bob Ainsworth: The New English and Welsh Arrestee Drug Abuse Monitoring (NEW-ADAM) research programme currently provides estimates of repeat offending by drug misusing offenders for the purpose of tracking the drugs strategy. Repeat offending drug misusing offenders are defined as the proportion of arrestees who are using heroin and/or cocaine and/or crack at least once a week and who have offended at least twice a month in the last 12 months. The proportion of arrestees falling within the definition of repeat offending drug misusing offenders category was 15 per cent. for the financial year 19992000 (the first year of data collection). This only represents an interim figure from eight fieldwork sites. A summary of the full, two-year data from 16 sites (199901) is due be published later this year.
	We are currently reviewing the drugs strategy targets and progress against them, including those concerning drugs and crime, to ensure we still have the right balance and focus. As part of this review, researchers in the Home Department are undertaking work to improve our ability to track changes over time in drug-related crime.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Bill of Rights

Stephen Hesford: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on his policy on a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland.

Des Browne: In accordance with the Northern Ireland Act 1998, the then Secretary of State commissioned the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission to consult and advise on the scope for defining, in Westminster legislation, rights supplementary to those in the European Convention on Human Rights, to reflect the particular circumstances of Northern Ireland. I understand that the Commission is currently considering submissions made to it following the publication last September of its consultation document 'Making a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland' and expects to report to me in 2003. The Government's position remains that we will not reach any policy conclusions on the scope for a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland until that report has been received.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

LNM Holdings

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if the Government approved International Finance Corporation support for LNM Holdings in its acquisition of the Czech Nova Hut Steelworks.

Clare Short: The Board of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), of which the British Government is a member, has not considered any proposal for financial support for LNM Holdings in its acquisition of the Czech Nova Hut Steelworks.

LNM Holdings

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent representations have been received in relation to the EBRD financing of LNM Holdings' acquisition of the Nova Hut Steelworks.

Clare Short: None.

Malawi

David Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on her Department's actions during the famine in Malawi.

Clare Short: Since October 2001 my Department has committed over 23 million to help the people and Government of Malawi deal with the food crisis. Our assistance has supported the supply of agricultural inputs to help increase domestic food production, access to employment income from public works, and supplementary feeding programmes for children under five and mothers. These activities have been carried out in partnership with local NGOs, UN agencies, EU and Malawi Government departments. Included in the above sum is 10 million which I announced last month for Malawi as a contribution to the international response to the regional crisis. It will also be used for food imports, agricultural inputs and feeding programmes for vulnerable groups.
	My officials in Malawi are playing a leading role in the Malawi national task force and working groups responsible for development of a comprehensive, long-term national food security strategy.

Sudan

Hilton Dawson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what deliveries of humanitarian assistance have been made to the Nuba Mountains since the ceasefire was signed.

Clare Short: holding answer 3 July 2002
	According to UN sources in Khartoum, over 1,600 metric tonnes (mt) of food aid has been delivered to government controlled areas of the Nuba Mountains and 1,800 mt to areas controlled by the Sudan Peoples Liberation Army. In addition, United Nations (UN) agencies and other and international non-government organisations are actively implementing relief programmes in both areas.

Sudan

Hilton Dawson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of recent reports of displacement of civilians in Western Upper Nile, Sudan.

Clare Short: holding answer 3 July 2002
	Fighting in Western Upper Nile continues and it has not been possible to accurately ascertain the extent of displacement of civilians in the region.

Sudan

Hilton Dawson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress has been made towards setting up mechanisms for monitoring the ceasefire in the Nuba Mountains, Sudan.

Clare Short: holding answer 3 July 2002
	An international monitoring unit has been established as part of the Joint Military Commission under the Nuba Mountains ceasefire agreement. Norwegian Brigadier General Wilhelmson heads the 95 strong Joint Monitoring Mission which comprises international monitors and representatives of the Government of Sudan and the SPLA. The UK has provided the vice chairman of the Joint Military Commission, four monitors to the international monitoring unit and US$ 1 million to help meet the costs.

Zimbabwe

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on her Department's policy in respect of the section 8 orders being carried out in Zimbabwe.

Clare Short: We believe there is a strong case for land reform in Zimbabwe. However we strongly deplore the way in which the Zimbabwe Governments fast track process is being implemented.
	Section 8 orders are a part of a deeply flawed process that is not supported by the British Government or the international community.

Zimbabwe

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has to discuss with EU colleagues proposals to stabilise Zimbabwe's farming industry.

Clare Short: We have been active in promoting an international coalition, including the EU, to bring to bear whatever pressure is possible on the ruling party to change its ruinous economic policy. In the meantime, we are exploring proposals with non-governmental organisations to help small scale farmers revive maize production in the next growing season.

Zimbabwe

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on assistance (a) offered and (b) proposed for assisting farmers in Zimbabwe.

Clare Short: Neither the UNDP nor the Abuja processes have resulted in a plan for sustainable land reform. In the absence of a credible Government programme, we are considering with non-governmental organisations how we can help poor farmers in the communal areas to increase food production, which has been so badly affected this year by drought, the failing economy and ill-conceived fast track land reform.

Zimbabwe

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what funding her Department has allocated in 200203 for projects in Zimbabwe; and if she will list them.

Clare Short: The original allocation made for Zimbabwe in 200203 was 12 million. The following projects are being funded from this figure (most have been or will be funded over several years):
	
		
			   million 
		
		
			 UN Humanitarian Assistance and Recovery Programme 6 
			 Support for UN Relief and Recovery Unit 0.086 
			 NGO Supplementary Feeding Programme 4 
			 NGO Emergency Preparedness and Response 0.8 
			 Sexual and Reproductive Health Phase 2 20 
			 Social Marketing Phase 2 6.8 
			 Education Section HIV/AIDS Impact Assessment 0.13 
			 Bikita integrated rural water supply and sanitation 2.72 
			 Small Dams Rehabilitation 1.96 
			 Credit for the Information Sector 1.84 
			 Agribusiness Entrepreneur Network development 0.492 
			 Wills and Inheritance rights programme 0.86 
			 Empowerment of Farm Worker Communities 1.6 
		
	
	We have recently increased spending in the southern Africa region to assist with the current food crisis, and Zimbabwe will benefit from additional support through the UN World Food Programme, and through non- governmental organisation feeding and agricultural recovery programmes.

Zimbabwe

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what estimate she has made of the number of families in Zimbabwe who have been moved from their homes as a result of section 8 orders.

Clare Short: It is difficult to obtain accurate information. According to the Commercial Farmers' Union about 2,900 farm owners have received section 8 orders and most of these will be legally required to leave their homes in the first half of August. However many may choose not to do so at this point while further legal avenues are being explored. Farm workers are also at risk of losing their only income and their home with the change of farm ownership. There are around 300,000 farm workers affected by the land reform programme which with their families affects perhaps two million people. While we do not know exactly how many of them have already been forced off farms, we are working with the farm workers' organisations and the UN World Food Programme to monitor their situation and meet their immediate humanitarian needs.

Oxfam

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when she last met the Chairman of Oxfam.

Clare Short: I have not recently met Rosemary Thorp, the current chair of Oxfam. However I do regularly meet with Barbara Stocking, the Director of Oxfam, alongside other Heads of major NGOs.

Poverty Reduction Strategy

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to the answer of 16 May 2002, Official Report, column 753W, which countries have a poverty reduction strategy that exhibits characteristics of strategic processes for sustainability.

Clare Short: There is no internationally-agreed system for monitoring the extent to which poverty reduction strategies exhibit characteristics of strategic processes for sustainability. The 'characteristics' of strategic processes for sustainability are broadly the same as the agreed 'principles' of strategic processes for sustainability. The challenge is to ensure that strategies adhere to these principles.
	The following 13 countries have agreed formal Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSPs) with the World bank: Albania, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Guyana, Honduras, Mauritania, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Niger, Tanzania, Uganda, Vietnam and Zambia.
	A further 33 have interim PRSPs, which set out a road-map for reaching a full PRSP:
	Armenia
	Azerbaijan
	Benin
	Cambodia
	Cameroon
	Cape Verde
	Central African Republic
	Chad
	Cote D'Ivoire
	DR Congo
	Djibouti
	Ethiopia
	Gambia
	Georgia
	Guinea-Bissau
	Guinea
	Kenya
	Kyrgyz Republic
	Lao PDR
	Lesotho
	Macedonia
	madagascar
	Malawi
	Mali
	Moldova
	Mongolia
	Pakistan
	Rwanda
	Sao Tome and Principe
	Senegal
	Sierra Leone
	Tajikistan
	Yemen.
	Full details of these can be found at www. worldbank.org. Other developing countries have poverty plans, though the sustainability of these is difficult to quantify. Some display more sustainable characteristics than others. My Department, together with partner governments and the rest of the international community, works to ensure they provide the framework for sustainable development.

UN World Food Summit

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many people attended the UN World Food Summit in Rome in June from (a) her Department and (b) other UK Government Departments; and what the total cost of the visit was.

Clare Short: The World Food Summit: five years later event in June was attended by (a) seven people from DFID and (b) four from DEFRA. The total travel and subsistence costs were 6,250.00. There were also three non-officials on the delegation whose costs wee not met from public funds.

UN Summit on Children

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many people attended the UN Summit on Children in New York in May from (a) her Department and (b) other UK Government departments; and what the total cost of the visit was.

Clare Short: The delegation to the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on Children comprised eight people from DFID, including Hilary Been, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, 11 people from other UK Government Departments and six people from the UK Mission in New York. Not all invoices have been received but the total cost of the visit will be in the region of 75,000.
	In addition other Government Departments financed attendance by one NGO representative and two young people at an approximate cost of 15,000.

Departmental Energy Use

Andrew Stunell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the estimated (a) level and (b) cost of energy use in her Department and associated agencies was in each year since 1997; what proportion of energy was generated from renewable sources; and if she will make a statement.

Clare Short: The information requested is as follows:
	
		
			  Gas (Kw/H) Electricity (Kw/H) Oil (litres) Total cost () 
		
		
			 199697 3,078,904 2,837,540 n/a 212,935 
			 199798 3,065,413 3,037,780 9,892 227,056 
			 199899 3,271,499 3,105,217 11,233 211,036 
			 19992000 3,694,801 3,078,375 11,744 185,826 
			 200001 3,180,602 2,895,150 11,679 187,857 
			 200102 3,279,018 3,018,021 15,378 221,941 
		
	
	n/a = Not available
	The contract for our electricity supply in London has recently expired. Our new agreement sets out that 10 per cent. of our supply is from renewable sources. We will look to establish a similar arrangement for our East Kilbride office when the current contract expires next year.

South Africa (Discussions)

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent discussions she has had with the Government of South Africa regarding the humanitarian situation in (a) Malawi, (b) Mozambique, (c) Zimbabwe, (d) Zambia, (e) Lesotho and (f) Swaziland.

Clare Short: DFID officials are in touch with the Government of South Africa and with Grain South Africa. South Africa is participating in World Food Programme and SADC discussions on the humanitarian situation in the region.
	South Africa's transport corridors are essential for moving food supplies to inland countries in the region. The South African Government has recently worked with WFP on an assessment of the routes.
	South Africa could also be affected by movements of people from areas of food shortage.

Trafficking

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps she is taking to prevent people trafficking in (a) West Africa and (b) central and eastern Europe.

Clare Short: Combating people trafficking is part of a wider set of issues related to the vulnerability of poor people to the interests of national and international traffickers. It is an international problem requiring co-ordinated action. DFID's goal is to eliminate the poverty and social injustice that creates the conditions where such abuse can flourish. With other Government Departments, we are supporting the efforts of Governments and international agencies to strengthen social protection policies and justice systems in line with the international treaty framework covering these issues.
	We are also supporting efforts such as Anti-slavery International's work with civil society in West Africa to stop the trafficking of children for domestic work, and the International Organisation for Migration's programme of training for agencies helping trafficked women in the Balkans.

Ghana

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what her Department is doing to support cocoa producers in Ghana.

Clare Short: DFID has provided a bank guarantee to secure finances for the Day Chocolate Company (33 per cent. owned by Kuapa Kokooa Ghanaian smallholder cocoa farmer's union). Our support aims to develop new opportunities for mainstreaming fair trade chocolate into the United Kingdom large-scale multiple retail market. The products are Divine, Darkly Divine and Dubble. This represents a major advance in fair trade marketing.
	DFID is also supporting a substantial portfolio of research developing integrated pest management and biological control solutions for a variety of key cocoa pests and diseases. These technologies are particularly critical in view of the move towards organic productions.
	We are also supporting the Government of Ghana's (GoG) plans to improve rural infrastructure by installing steel bridges on feeder roads in rural areas of western and central regionsthe main cocoa growing regions. Most of the current log bridges have deteriorated to the extent that they cannot carry loaded vehicles and, as a result, there is limited access to markets and social services. The goal of the project is to improve the livelihoods of the people living in the targeted areas by providing physical access, all year round, to markets, schools and hospitals/ clinics. DFID has committed 8.5 million to this project and so far 28 bridges have been constructed, with a further 37 envisaged.

Central and Eastern Europe

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proportion of her Department's funding has been allocated to countries in central and eastern Europe in each of the last five years.

Clare Short: Figures on DFID spending broken down by country are available in Statistics on International Development, a copy of which is in the Library of the House. The relevant tables for the figures requested are Table 7.4 Bilateral Aid by Country (Europe) which shows DFID spend in each country in Europe for the last five years and Table 3 Gross Public Expenditure on Aid which shows DFID expenditure split between bilateral and multilateral channels for the last five years.

Corruption

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps she is taking to combat corruption in (a) Malawi, (b) Mozambique, (c) Zimbabwe, (d) Zambia, (e) Lesotho and (f) Swaziland.

Clare Short: The six countries are all signatories to the Southern African Development Community Protocol against corruption, which outlines comprehensive measures to prevent, detect, punish and eradicate corruption in the public and private sectors.
	Working with governments and other development organisations, our programmes provide a range of assistance depending on the particular needs of each country. This addresses both enforcement action against corruption, such as effective anti-corruption agencies, and preventive measures, such as strengthening public sector financial management and supporting civil society to promote transparency and accountability in public life.
	Malawi and Zambia benefit from 2 million DFID support for a World Bank Institute anti-corruption programme in 14 countries.
	In Mozambique and Zambia we are working with the World bank to survey the extent of corruption and to support efforts to develop a national anti-corruption strategy which involves all key stakeholders. In Lesotho we are working with the Government to design a justice sector programme which will include the establishment of an anti-corruption unit.
	In Malawi and Zambia we have helped to establish anti-corruption commissions and have provided assistance to build up their management systems and capability to conduct preventative and investigative activities.
	In Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Lesotho we are supporting efforts to strengthen financial controls and administrative systems in government.

Public Inquiries

John Randall: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what her policy is on using 0870 telephone numbers for inquiries by the public to the Department and its agencies.

Clare Short: The Department for International Development does not have a general policy on the use of 0870 telephone numbers for inquiries by the public. Instead, and in line with promoting the widest possible access to its Public Enquiry Point, DFID provides an 0845 number for UK callers.
	The cost range for callers using the 0845 number is 3.95p (peak) to 1p (weekends), compared with 7.91p (peak) to 2p (weekends) for an 0870 number.

GATS Talks

Phil Sawford: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what her priorities are in respect of the forthcoming GATS talks.

Clare Short: The current negotiations on the GATS offer developing countries the potential to gain access to new markets overseas and to benefit from more efficient and competitive services at home. One of my key priorities for the GATS talks is to ensure that developing countries are able to participate fully in the negotiations. To this end, my Department is working with the UN Conference for Trade and Development (UNCTAD) on a 350,000 project to strengthen developing country involvement in the services negotiations in Geneva. We are also working with other donors and international organisations to find the best way of providing technical assistance to developing countries to carry out an impact assessment of the requests made of them.
	More generally, my officials are working closely with the Department for Trade and Industry (DTI) and other Government Departments to ensure that UK and EC policy on trade in services takes development considerations into account. In the recently agreed EC requests of other WTO Members, for example, requests to least developed countries have been mainly limited to 35 sectors, with a focus on sectors where liberalisation is most likely to contribute to development. The requests also make clear that the EC recognises the importance of liberalisation being underpinned by domestic regulatory frameworks designed to ensure the achievement of public policy objectives.

Burundi

Oona King: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the policy of the World bank and IMF towards Burundi.

Clare Short: The IMF have been in regular dialogue with the Government of Burundi in recent months and will be undertaking a further mission to Burundi in July to progress negotiations on an emergency post-conflict facility, which we hope will be in place this autumn. The World Bank's Transitional Support Strategy for Burundi was agreed in March, involving support for demobilisation and reintegration, HIV/AIDS prevention and agricultural development, and a further Economic Rehabilitation Credit is under preparation. We remain in close touch with both institutions about their plans.

Great Lakes Region

Oona King: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what level of development aid her Department has made available to (a) Burundi and (b) other countries in the Great Lakes Region in the last five years.

Clare Short: Over the past five years, my Department made the following levels of development aid available to Burundi, and other countries in the Great Lakes region:
	
		 million 
		
			  Burundi Dem. Rep. Congo Rwanda Uganda 
		
		
			 199798 1.6 6.9 6.2 47.9 
			 199899 0.3 0.5 13.6 52.5 
			 19992000 0.9 1.3 14.4 81.2 
			 200001 1.5 3.1 32.8 86.2 
			 200102 (19)0.5 (19)5.5 (19)26.9 (19)66.6 
		
	
	(19) These figures are provisional. Final disbursement figures will be available in November when the 2002 edition of DFID's 'Statistics on International Development' will be published.

Green Ministers

Sue Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development who her Department's Green Minister is; when they (a) have attended and (b) plan to attend meetings of the Green Ministers Committee; what the outcomes of meetings were for her Department's activities; and if she will make a statement.

Clare Short: Our Green Minister is Sally Keeble MP. She was appointed to the ENV (G) Committee on 29 May.
	Following the general election in June 2001, the previously informal Green Ministers Committee was upgraded to a Cabinet Sub-Committee of ENV and it is established practice under exemption two of Part II of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information not to disclose information relating to the proceedings of Cabinet Committees. Therefore I cannot relate progress or outcomes by my Department to anything that has been discussed.

Recycling

Sue Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proportion of (a) paper and (b) other goods purchased by her Department was recycled paper in each year since 1997; what the annual total cost of these purchases was; what plans there are to increase these proportions; and if he will make a statement.

Clare Short: The following table shows my Department's costs for paper and paper products since 1997. The recycled element of the figures up to last year are for recycled paper only; other recycled products were obtained but were not separately recorded or identified. since May of this year, 98 per cent. of paper used by my London office is recycled and therefore this proportion will now increase significantly. Other recycled paper products, particularly envelopes where available, will be purchased in future. Further trials of recycled paper are currently being carried out in our East Kilbride office.
	
		
		
			  Cost of paper and paper products 
		
		
			 1997 57,658 of which 199 was recycled paper only 
			 1998 62,790 of which 235 was recycled paper only 
			 1999 48,249 of which 99 was recycled paper only 
			 2000 93,439 of which 2,179 was recycled paper only 
			 2001 67,447 of which 1,289 was recycled paper only 
			 2002 28,327 of which 2,527 was recycled paper only

Health Care Reform Programmes

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what financial support her Department is giving to health care reform programmes in 200203 in (a) Tanzania, (b) Zambia, (c) Ghana and (d) Bangladesh.

Clare Short: In Tanzania we plan to disburse up to 11.8 million to the health sector development programme during 200203 to support health sector reforms.
	A further 4.76 million will be spent on technical assistance projects to support improved approaches to managing malaria, increasing access to and quality of reproductive health care, and better evidence based planning for public health services.

Commission on Macroeconomics and Health

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much money was provided by her Department in 200102 to the Commission on Macroeconomics and Health.

Clare Short: My Department provided 693,073 in 200102 to support the Commission on Macroeconomics and Health.

Overseas Financial Aid

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action her Department is taking to ensure that overseas financial aid is used for development purposes.

Clare Short: My Department continuously reviews and assesses mechanisms for the delivery of, and accounting for, UK development funds in order to minimise the risks of misuse.
	Financial aid to developing countries through direct Budget support is provided after a thorough evaluation of public financial management and accountability systems against specific benchmarks, and risks have been assessed in a systematic way.
	DFID set out the arrangements in detail in a guidance note for staff in March 2002, Managing Fiduciary Risk When Providing Direct Budget Support. A copy is being placed in the Library.

Overseas Financial Aid

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what evidence her Department has collated over the last 12 months that overseas financial aid has not been used for development purposes.

Clare Short: My Department has no such evidence.

EU Aid

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 
	(1)  if she will make a statement on the outcome of the EU summit in Seville with respect to aid;
	(2)  whether EU development aid may be tied to asylum policies following the conclusions reached in the Seville summit.

Clare Short: The conclusions of the European Council meeting in Seville (2021 June) dealt with three issues relevant to international development.
	First, as part of the EU's continuing preparations for enlargement, it was agreed that the work of the Development Council should be merged into a new General Affairs and External Relations Council which will also deal with foreign policy, military and security policy, foreign trade and humanitarian aid. The Government will be discussing working arrangements for this new Council over the next few weeks in order to ensure effective handling of the European Community's development programmes.
	Second, in their discussions of asylum and immigration, Heads of State and Government agreed that closer economic cooperation, trade expansion, development assistance and conflict prevention were all means of promoting prosperity and reducing the underlying causes of migration flows. It was also agreed that, in dealing with countries that do no cooperate in combating illegal immigration, measures taken by the European Union should not jeopardise EU development objectives.
	Third, Heads of State also endorsed the EU position for the World summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg and stressed the Union's willingness to continue playing a leading role in the preparation of the summit.

EU Aid

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much EU aid will be used to support poor countries' efforts to comply with the EU's asylum policy in each of the next three years.

Clare Short: There has been no change in the objectives of the EC's development programmes. A separate budget line was established in 2001 to fund migration-related activities in third countries. Euro 10 million was committed through that budget in 2001 and Euro 22.8 million was provided for 2002. This budget is not used in pursuit of the EC's development policy. The amount available for this budget is decided on an annual basis and figures for the next three years are therefore not available.

EU Aid

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the steps she has taken to ensure that the European Union devotes more of its resources to the poorest countries.

Clare Short: In 2000, only 38 per cent. of EC aid was spent in low income countries compared to 70 per cent. a decade before. In November 2000 we secured adoption of an EC development policy which, for the first time, makes poverty reduction the central objective of EC development programmes. This new policy calls for priority in resource allocation to be given to low income countries and we continue to work for agreement on the budget allocations to implement this policy and have the greatest impact on poverty reduction. In particular we are working for an increase in allocations for Asia. We welcome the positive steps that have been taken to reform EC development assistance. This should help improve the rate of programme implementation, of particular importance to the African, Caribbean and Pacific countries where many of the world's poorest people live. But much remains to be done to improve the poverty focus and effectiveness of EC development assistance.

United Nations Development Programme

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the progress of the work of the United Nations Development Programme in crisis prevention and recovery.

Clare Short: Crisis prevention and recovery has been identified as one of the six core practice areas within the UNDP mandate. The former Emergency Response Division which deals with these issues was upgraded to a Bureau in November 2001 and now has greater authority to engage in the inter-agency processes such as the Executive Committee on Peace and Security, and to develop its role in peace building in relation to that of the UN Department for Political Affairs. These are very welcome developments, through which UNDP is attempting to realise the untapped potential of the organisation in crisis and conflict situations, as noted in the Report of the Panel on UN Peace Operations (the Brahimi report), published in August 2000.
	My Department has observed that strategy and policy development over the past 12 months is starting to deliver demonstrable benefits at the country level. UNDP's transition recovery programme, developed in the aftermath of the earthquake in Gujarat in January 2001, is a positive example of a community-led recovery process which builds on local traditions and capacities. UNDP has also played a key role in drafting the UN's five-year strategy for mine action. The pivotal role of UNDP is clearly recognised by the relevant players in this field, since it has been tasked to lead on 10 of the 40 strategic objectives.
	Crucially, UNDP is also beginning to develop policy and tools to deliver conflict-sensitive development programmes. My Department is encouraging UNDP to incorporate conflict assessment into planning and management processes such as the common country assessment and the UN development assistance framework.
	However, there is still a considerable amount of progress to be made, before UNDP's role in crises and conflicts will be universally accepted and welcomed by the United Nations family and the broader international community. It is essential that UNDP capitalises on the opportunities which now present themselves and focuses on successful implementation at the country level across the full range of technical areas. My Department will continue to work with UNDP's Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery and encourage a continued focus on improving delivery at the field level.

Performance Targets

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the (a) cost and (b) saving has been from the Department's pursuit of Service Delivery Agreement targets in each year since they were introduced.

Clare Short: Performance against DFID's Service Delivery Agreement (SDA) is reported on annually in our departmental report, a copy of which is available in the House of Commons Library. The SDA forms an integral part of DFID's systems. Separate analysis of costs and savings from the pursuit of SDA targets could be undertaken only at disproportionate cost.

Performance Targets

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what has been the (a) cost and (b) saving from the pursuit of the Department's Public Service Agreement targets in each year since they were introduced.

Clare Short: Performance against DFID's Public Service Agreement (PSA) is reported on annually in our departmental report, a copy of which is available in the House of Commons Library. The PSA forms an integral part of DFID's systems. Separate analysis of costs and savings from the pursuit of PSA targets could be undertaken only at disproportionate cost.

Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what financial support her Department gave to the Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund in 200102.

Clare Short: My Department provided US$38.5 million (equivalent to 26,708,788) to the Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund (EAIF) during 200102.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the peace process in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Clare Short: The various technical and economic agreements reached at the recent Inter-Congolese Dialogue at Sun City represented some progress towards a settlement of the conflict in the DRC, but the key agreement on an inclusive transitional government has not yet been achieved. We are working actively within the UN and directly with the parties concerned to help promote an inclusive agreement, which will be an essential basis for agreeing a constitution and planning elections. We also need to make progress on DDR and a halt to the arming of negative forces so that the security of Rwanda and Burundi can be improved and a phased withdrawal of foreign forces agreed. I plan to visit Kinshasa at the end of July to discuss these issues further with President Kabila and explore what more the UK can do to help.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action has been taken by (a) the United Kingdom Government and (b) the international community as a result of the UN Panel investigation into illegal exploitation of mineral resources in the Democratic Republic of Congo published in November 2001.

Clare Short: The November 2001 report was the second produced by the UN Panel on resource exploitation in the DRC. At the request of the Panel, the UN Security Council took note of the report and recommended that the Secretary General grant an extension of the Panel's mandate for a further six months to prepare a final report which is due in August. It is anticipated that this will provide an updated assessment of the situation and make recommendations to the UN and international community on specific actions which should be taken to help end the illegal exploitation of the natural resources and other forms of wealth of the DRC. We shall study the final report carefully and participate fully in the Security Council's deliberations on its recommendations. In the meantime, the UK has encouraged the Governments of countries mentioned in the Panel's reports to take the allegations seriously and investigate the activities of the individuals and organisations named therein.

Small Arms Strategy

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the share of the Global Conflict Prevention Pool's Small Arms Strategy that has been spent.

Clare Short: In partnership with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Ministry of Defence, my Department has established a UK Small Arms and Light Weapons Reduction Programme under the Global Conflict Prevention Pool. Over the three years from 200102 to 200304, we will allocate 19.5 million to UN agencies, regional organisations, Governments and non-governmental organisations seeking to develop and implement local, national, regional and international measures to combat small arms problems. During financial year 200102, 3.4 million was spent of an allocated 4.35 million. The under spend has been carried over to the current financial year.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Arms Sales

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on arms sales to (a) India and (b) Pakistan between December 2001 and June 2002; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: There has been no change in our policy on arms sales to India or Pakistan between December 2001 and June 2002. All relevant export licence applications for India and Pakistan are considered on a case-by-case basis against the Consolidated EU and national arms export licensing criteria, and in the light of the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Edmonton (Mr. Andrew Love) by my hon. Friend, the Member for Exeter (Mr. Ben Bradshaw), on 15 March 2002, Official Report, column 129698W.

Arms Sales

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the United Kingdom's arms export policies in calming tensions between Pakistan and India between December 2001 and June 2002; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: All relevant export licence applications for India and Pakistan are considered on a case-by-case basis against the Consolidated EU and national arms export licensing criteria, and in the light of the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Edmonton (Mr. Andrew Love) by my hon. Friend, the member for Exeter (Mr. Ben Bradshaw), on 15 March 2002, Official Report, column 129698W. The consolidated criteria clearly set out our commitment to take account of the risk that exports might be used for external aggression.

Arms Sales

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures he has undertaken (a) to assess and (b) to prevent the diversion of arms to terrorist organisations in Pakistan.

Mike O'Brien: The Government focus their efforts on assessment of potential end-use at the export licensing stage, including where needed through checks made by our Posts overseas. Carrying out effective risk assessment on end-users before making the export licensing decision is the best way of preventing arms from falling into the wrong hands. Nevertheless, the Government remain committed to carrying out end-use monitoring in those circumstances where this will genuinely add value to our efforts to minimise the risk of misuse and diversion and where such monitoring is practicable. And our overseas posts have standing instructions to report on reports of misuse of any UK-origin defence equipment. We take these reports into account in our assessment.

Arms Sales

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  what representations his Department received regarding (a) increases in Pakistan's (i) offensive and (ii) defensive weapons capabilities in each month from November 2001 to May 2002 and (b) his Department's assessment as to their effect on relations between India and Pakistan;
	(2)  what representations his Department received regarding (a) increases in India's (i) offensive and (ii) defensive weapons capabilities in each month from November 2001 to May 2002 and (b) his Department's assessment as to their effect on relations between India and Pakistan.

Mike O'Brien: We have received numerous representations on India and Pakistani weapons capabilities in the last eight months. We do not record separately whether the representations distinguish between offensive and defensive weapons.
	As my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary said in the House on 25 June 2002, Official Report, column 728, as long as there are one million men under arms on either side of the Line of Control, the risks of a conflict remain significant.

India

Ian Davidson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress he has made with the Government of India on bilateral training initiatives in counter-terrorism.

Mike O'Brien: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the then Parliamentary Secretary my hon. Friend the Member for Exeter (Mr. Ben Bradshaw) to my hon. Friend the Member for Ealing, North (Mr. Stephen Pound) on 13 May 2002, Official Report, column 456W.

Chemical Weapons

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 18 June 2002, Official Report, column 293W, whether the term income refers to cash available from contributions to (a) the OPCW Secretariat and (b) the agreed budget of the OPCW; by when the major budgetary contributors to the OPCW budget finished paying their contributions in each of the last five years; (i) what the role of the Head of Administration in the OPCW is and (ii) from which country this post-holder came in 2001; if he will make a statement on the monthly statements made by Mr. Jos Bustani covering the operational programme; if he will make a statement regarding the use of the term unrealistic; whether the revised budget of the OPCW addresses the concerns over the previous OPCW budget proposals referred to; how many member states of the OPCW there were in each of the last five years; what the UK Government's estimate is of the frequency of inspections (A) proposed for the major budgetary contributors to the OPCW under the budgetary proposals referred to and (B) for the major budgetary contributors to the OPCW under the current budgetary proposals; and if he will make a statement on the action of the Conference of States Parties in the handling of the staff grading review referred to.

Mike O'Brien: The term income referred to the income of the OPCW from the usual three sources: contributions from member states in accordance with assessments adopted by the Conference of States Parties; payments by declared possessors of chemical weapons in respect of costs incurred by the OPCW in verifying chemical weapons destruction; and interest on cash deposits held.
	We do not have precise information on the timing of payments by member states. Our understanding is that all the major contributors paid their assessed contributions by mid-year in each of the past five years.
	The Head of the Administrative Division of the OPCW supervises the work of the budget and finance branch, the human resources branch, the information systems branch, the procurement and support services branch and the training and staff development branch. The post was vacant throughout much of 2001: it was occupied by a US national early in the year, and succeeded in September by another US national.
	The OPCW Secretariat, through much of 2001, issued monthly statements on income and expenditure. The Director-General included commentary on the operational programme in his statements to Executive Council meetings and in separate briefings of delegations through the year, where he outlined the cuts to the operational programmes he believed were needed to keep within anticipated income; and reported on progress in delivering what remained of the operational programmes. The Executive Council, on receipt of these reports, requested further authoritative information; requested specific proposals to deal with problems identified; expressed concerns about proposed cuts in operational programmes; authorised the use of all available cash to finance credible levels of verification activity and international co-operation and assistance.
	The first draft of the 2000 budget proposed 12 per cent. growth over 1999; 2001 draft proposed 17 per cent. growth over 2000; 2002 draft proposed 24 per cent. over 2001; and the preliminary draft put to ABAF (Advisory Body on Administrative and Financial matters) in respect of 2003 proposed 29 per cent. growth over 2002. During these years, the norm in most international organisations was zero growth, and OPCW member states regularly made clear each year their belief that the draft budget should much more closely reflect the financial and political reality, so as to provide a sound basis for negotiations.
	At Entry-into-Force on 29 April 1997, there were 87 States Parties. At 31 December 1997105; 31 Dec 1998121; 31 Dec 1999128; 31 Dec 2000141; 31 Dec 2001 (and today)145.
	OPCW industrial inspection targets are in many respects randomly selected by the Technical Secretariat, so it is not possible to estimate with any accuracy the likely frequency of inspections to be faced in any country or group of countries. Previous budget proposals have provided an indication of numbers of inspections planned for the various categories of industrial facilities subject to declaration and inspection. The current budget proposal for 2003 under consideration in the Executive Council makes comparable projections based on current risk assessments which, if implemented, we estimate would tend to provide a more global coverage by the OPCW. If total inspection numbers remain broadly the same as in past years, as is currently forecast, this shift in emphasis could perhaps slightly reduce inspection frequency in 2003 for some of the major contributors, relative to what might have been expected from budget projections in previous years.
	The Director-General, in August 1998, published a grading review conducted by an outside consultant, together with his intended actions in respect of the review, including his decision to implement, effective 1 January 1999, all the grade changes recommended. In October 1998, the Director-General noted to the Executive Council his understanding that some member states had reservations about the funding needed to implement the grading recommendations. In November 1998, the Conference of States Parties decided that the reclassification of posts involved should be discussed and decided by States Parties at a later stage, and requested the Director-General meanwhile not to implement the study. The Conference of States Parties in July 1999 reiterated its request to the Director-General not to implement the 1998 staff grading review, and requested him to initiate a new classification study once terms of reference were approved by the Executive Council. In June 1999, OPCW staff members filed complaints with the Administrative Tribunal of the International Labour Organisation, an action joined later by a total of 89 staff. The Tribunal concluded that, in August 1998, the Director-General had had the competence for classification of posts, and that the re-classification announced should therefore have proceeded on 1 January 1999. The concern of many States Parties was that the basis of the grading review was open to question, the Director-General's decision to implement it was premature, and he had no budgetary authority to incur the significant additional costs that would arise.
	Since the recent change in leadership the situation at the OPCW has improved with indications that better staff morale and planning are leading to greater efficiency and effectiveness.

Chemical Weapons

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 18 June 2002, Official Report, column 294W, if there is a role for member states of the OPCW in approving the transfers of funds referred to; and if he will make a statement on the (a) reasons given for the loss of confidence referred to and (b) late payments by member states of the OPCW.

Mike O'Brien: The OPCW Financial Regulations provide for transfers of appropriated funds between programmes. Transfers of up to 10 per cent. of the original appropriation may be made by the Director-General, and reported to the Executive Council; transfers over 10 per cent. may be made only with the prior concurrence of the Executive Council. All transfers should be reported to the Conference of States Parties.
	The loss of confidence in the former Director-General by a significant number of members of the OPCW Executive Council we believe arose largely from the financial and administrative concerns noted in the answer I gave to my hon. Friend on 18 June 2002, Official Report, columns 293294W. There was also a perception among many Executive Council members that the former Director-General took an unnecessarily confrontational approach in his dealings with the Executive Council, to the detriment of the effective functioning of the OPCW, and contrary to the supportive role envisaged in Article VIII of the Chemical Weapons Convention.
	As at 31 May 2002, 19 States Parties had outstanding sums due in respect of 1997 assessed contributions, totalling about 114,000 or 0.5 per cent. of that year's budget. The figures for 1998 are 29 States Parties, 177,000 (0.5 per cent.); for 1999, 31 States Parties, 50,000 (0.2 per cent.); for 2000, 28 States Parties, 76,000 (0.3 per cent.); for 2001, 50 States Parties, 590,000 (1.7 per cent.). So far in 2002, to 18 June, 76 States Parties have paid their 2002 assessed contributions in full and another 13 have made part payments totalling 34.75 million (95.6 per cent. of the budget). 56 States Parties have yet to pay any of their assessed contributions for 2002, amounting to 1.625 million (4.5 per cent. of the budget). The UK pays in full and on time, and takes every opportunity to urge all States Parties to do likewise.

Oman

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next plans to visit Oman.

Mike O'Brien: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has no plans to visit Oman.

Zimbabwe

Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps are being taken to protect the interests of United Kingdom nationals engaged in legal action in Zimbabwe.

Denis MacShane: Our consular staff in Harare will provide support and assistance where they properly can, but in all such cases, as elsewhere in the world, British citizens are advised to seek local legal advice on how best to pursue their case.

Iraq

Alice Mahon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the medicines and medical equipment that are on the dual use list of banned imports to Iraq.

Mike O'Brien: There is no list of banned imports to Iraq. The Goods Review List, introduced by UN resolution 1409, contains dual-use items whose export to Iraq is subject to UN Security Council approval. It is not a denial list. Before approving Goods Review Listed items for export, the UN Sanctions Committee, drawing on expert advice from the UN Monitoring Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) and the IAEA, will decide whether the military risk of allowing the Iraqi regime to have the listed items outweighs their humanitarian benefits. The Goods Review List is a publicly accessible document, the contents of which are available on the UN website at www.un.org/Departments/ oip/index.html.

Iraq

Alice Mahon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the United Nations organisations in Iraq are present on the same basis as they routinely operate in countries where there is a non- military UN presence.

Mike O'Brien: United Nations organisations are present in Iraq in support of the UN's Oil for Food humanitarian programme. FAO, UNICEF, UNDP and WHO also operate country programmes, as they do elsewhere.

Iraq

Alice Mahon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the purpose for which each United Nations-related organisation is present in Iraq.

Mike O'Brien: United Nations-related organisations are present in Iraq for the following purposes: Support to the UN Oil for Food programme:
	WFP (food sector)
	WHO (health, nutrition, water and sanitation sectors)
	FAO (agriculture sector)
	UNDP (electricity sector)
	UNICEF (education, nutrition, health sectors)
	UNESCO (education sector)
	UNOPS (demining, water and sanitation sectors)
	Habitat (housing, resettlement sectors)
	ITU (telecommunications sector)
	UNGCI (security for UN personnel in northern Iraq). Country programmes:
	FAO, UNICEF, UNDP and WHO also operate country programmes, the funding and activities of which are separate from the work these agencies do under the Oil for Food programme.
	UNIKOM:
	Monitoring the demilitarized zone along the Iraq- Kuwait border.

British Nationals (Prisoners)

Greg Pope: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on when it is Her Majesty's Government's policy to support officially a plea for clemency on compassionate grounds from a British national imprisoned overseas.

Mike O'Brien: Decisions on whether to support an application for clemency are taken at ministerial level. When considering an application for clemency on compassionate grounds, Ministers will, as a general rule, mirror the policy applied by the UK prison services when considering applications for early release on compassionate grounds submitted by prisoners in the UK. Each application for support will be considered on its merits on a case- by-case basis.
	Ministers would not normally support a plea for clemency on compassionate grounds if a Prisoner Transfer Agreement exists between the UK and the sentencing state and a transfer to the UK could be completed within a reasonable time frame. In such circumstances, any request for early or temporary release on compassionate grounds could then be made to the appropriate UK prison authority.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Public Appointments

Keith Vaz: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the public appointments he has made since 7 June 2001.

Tony McNulty: Since 7 June last year Ministers have made the following appointments or re-appointments to the non-departmental public bodies currently sponsored by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.
	
		
			 Title  First name Surname Role NDPB 
		
		
			 Ms Gill Richardson Member Advisory Panel on Standards in the Planning Inspectorate 
			 Ms Hazel Duffy Member Advisory Panel on Standards in the Planning Inspectorate 
			 Mr. Timothy Corner Member Advisory Panel on Standards in the Planning Inspectorate 
			 Mr. Michael Watson Member Advisory Panel on Standards in the Planning Inspectorate 
			 Ms Judith Curson Member Audit Commission 
			 Mr. John Bowen Member Audit Commission 
			 Mr. Roy Hoyle Member Audit Commission 
			 Mr. Anthony Prior Member Building Regulations Advisory Committee 
			 Mr. Michael Finn Chair Building Regulations Advisory Committee 
			 Ms May Cassar Member Building Regulations Advisory Committee 
			 Mr. David Holliday Member Building Regulations Advisory Committee 
			 Mr. Peter Warburton Member Building Regulations Advisory Committee 
			 Mr. Matthew Smith Member Building Regulations Advisory Committee 
			 Ms Janet Young Member Building Regulations Advisory Committee 
			 Mr. Thiru Moolan Member Building Regulations Advisory Committee 
			 Ms Clare Wright Member Building Regulations Advisory Committee 
			 Ms Lynne Sullivan Member Building Regulations Advisory Committee 
			 Rev. David Hazlehurst Member Community Forum 
			 Mrs. Georgina Holdsworth Member Community Forum 
			 Ms Allison Trimble Member Community Forum 
			 Ms Barbara Willis-Brown Member Community Forum 
			 Mrs. Camille Ade-John Member Community Forum 
			 Mr. Joe Montgomery Chair Community Forum 
			 Rev. Graham Brownlee Member Community Forum 
			 Mr. Edward Cox Member Community Forum 
			 Mrs. Carol Dickinson Member Community Forum 
			 Mrs. Jeanette Worthington Member Community Forum 
			 Ms Laura Moynaham Member Community Forum 
			 Mr. Graham Bell Member Community Forum 
			 Mrs. Lorraine Cavanagh Member Community Forum 
			 Mr. Zualfqar Hussain Member Community Forum 
			 Ms Jess Steele Member Community Forum 
			 Mr. Richard Kemp Member Community Forum 
			 Mr. Waheed Saleem Member Community Forum 
			 Dr. Mohammed Ali Member Community Forum 
			 Mr. Mohammed Malik Member Community Forum 
			 Mrs. Elizabeth Ladimeji Member Community Forum 
			 Mrs. Maureen Lambert Member Community Forum 
			 Mrs Margaret Ford Chair English Partnerships 
			 Mrs. Janet Putman Member Housing Action Trust Castle Vale 
			 Mr. Ronny Ross Member Housing Action Trust Liverpool 
			 Mr. John Petitt Member Housing Action Trust Liverpool 
			 Ms Yvonne Hutchinson Member Housing Corporation 
			 Mr. Andrew Winckler Member Housing Corporation 
			 Ms Geraldine Huka Member Housing Corporation 
			 Ms Corinne Swain Member Property Advisory Group 
			 Mr. Roger Groom Member Property Advisory Group 
			 Mrs. Hazel Williamson Member Property Advisory Group 
			 Mr. Ronald Spinney Member Property Advisory Group 
			 Miss Wendy Shillam Member Property Advisory Group 
			 Mr. Simon Kirkham Member Property Advisory Group 
			 Mr. Geoff Freeman Lawyer Chair Rent Assessment Panel Northern 
			 Mr. Robert Wilson Lawyer Chair Rent Assessment Panel Southern

Mayoral Management

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether local authorities must first obtain the consent of their electorate by a referendum before they proceed to a mayoral management system.

Nick Raynsford: The Local Government Act 2000 specifies three models of executive arrangements, two of which involve a directly elected mayor. The Act, together with regulations made under it, provides that if a local authority proposes to move to or from either of the mayoral models, they must first obtain the consent of their local electorate in a referendum.

Elected Mayors

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister which authorities have indicated that they wish to proceed to elected mayors.

Nick Raynsford: To date, 28 local authorities have held referendums under the Local Government Act 2000 on whether or not to adopt executive arrangements that involve a directly elected mayor. Eleven of these referendums produced a result in favour of a system with an elected mayor. Of these, seven (Doncaster, Hartlepool, Lewisham, Middlesbrough, Newham, North Tyneside, and Watford) held their first mayoral election on 2 May this year, and the remaining four (Bedford, Hackney, Mansfield, and Stoke-on-Trent) will hold their first mayoral election on 17 October 2002. Corby borough council have also recently advised us that they will be holding a mayoral referendum later this year, following receipt of a valid local petition.

Regional Government

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what estimate he has made of the cost of introducing regional government in each English region; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Raynsford: I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 24 May 2002 to the hon. Member for Salisbury (Mr. Key), Official Report, column 624W.

Local Government Workers

Christine Russell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what steps he is taking to guarantee the conditions of local government workers where they have been transferred to the private sector.

Nick Raynsford: The Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions announced on 26 March measures to ensure fairness for all staff working on local authority contracts, including those transferred out of local government as a result of an outsourcing of a service.
	In broad terms, the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 (as amended) (TUPE) protects employees' terms and conditions (except in relation to future occupational pensions) when the business in which they work is transferred from one employer to another, and the business retains its identity.
	The measures we have announced include a commitment to legislate to make statutory within local government the provisions in the Cabinet Office 'Statement of Practice on Staff Transfers in the Public Sector' and the annex to it, 'A Fair Deal for Staff Pensions'. This will ensure that local authority contracting exercises are conducted on the basis that TUPE will apply, unless there are genuinely exceptional circumstances, and that transferees' pension benefits will be protected. New statutory guidance to local authorities will also set out a package of measures which will ensure that new joiners taken on to work beside transferees on local government contracts will be treated fairly.

Local Government Finance

Steve Webb: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list for each English local authority, the level of spending on (a) education and (b) social services expressed as a percentage of the SSA for that service in that authority in 200102.

Nick Raynsford: The information has been placed in the Library of the House.

Personal Social Services

Nigel Jones: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much each local authority in England and Wales with social services responsibilities (a) spent on personal social services and (b) was allocated for personal social services by standard spending assessment in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Raynsford: Figures for England have been placed in the Library of the House. Figures for Wales are the responsibility of the National Assembly for Wales.

Capital Receipts

Chris Grayling: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on plans to distribute capital receipts from local authority housing sales via a central pool.

Tony McNulty: Last December's local government White PaperStrong Local LeadershipQuality Public Servicesset out our intention to introduce arrangements to pool a proportion of future housing capital receipts arising in debt-free authorities for use to finance new housing investment where the need is greatest. The change, which will be introduced alongside other changes to the local government capital finance system, will bring the treatment of debt-free authorities in line with the arrangements that apply to other authorities. We will be consulting on the detailed operation of the pooling shortly.

Single Regeneration Budget

Debra Shipley: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the nominal Single Regeneration Budget's lifetime expenditure on physical regeneration will be.

Tony McNulty: 1,027 schemes under the six rounds of the Single Regeneration Budget stand to receive over 5.7 billion of SRB grant over their lifetime of up to seven years, many of which include physical regeneration activities. However, due to the holistic, multiple-objective nature of the majority of these schemes, it is not possible to say how much of SRB funding is available by specific activity including physical regeneration.

Deprivation

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the rank is of each local authority that has undertaken a full or partial transfer since 1997 under (a) the 1998 Index of Local Deprivation and (b) the Indices of Deprivation 2000, in each year.

Tony McNulty: The table sets out those authorities who have undertaken full or partial transfer since 1998 by their rank on the extent measure of the Index of Local Deprivation 1998 and the Indices of Deprivation 2000. The extent measure shows the proportion of the local authority's population living in one of the 10 per cent. most deprived wards in England. It should be noted that the extent measure is one of the four measures of deprivation in the ILD and one of the six district measures in the ID 2000.
	
		
			 Authority Extent measure ILD 1998 Extent measure ID 2000 
		
		
			 Allerdale BC 153 82 
			 Basildon DC 158 90 
			 Bath and North East Somerset C 158 158 
			 Birmingham CC 15 37 
			 Blackburn with Darwen BC 43 15 
			 Boston BC 158 158 
			 Burnley BC 74 62 
			 Calderdale MBC 57 75 
			 Chelmsford BC 158 158 
			 Chester CC 135 103 
			 Chichester DC 158 158 
			 Congleton BC 158 158 
			 Cotswold DC 158 158 
			 Coventry CC 38 50 
			 Derbyshire Dales 158 158 
			 East Hertfordshire 158 158 
			 East Lindsey DC 114 59 
			 East Northamptonshire DC 158 158 
			 East Staffordshire BC 143 114 
			 Eden C 158 158 
			 Elmbridge BC 158 158 
			 Erewash BC 152 155 
			 Fylde BC 158 158 
			 Horsham DC 158 158 
			 Huntingdon DC 158 158 
			 Kerrier DC 120 49 
			 LB Bexley 127 158 
			 LB Brent 21 78 
			 LB Enfield 77 95 
			 LB Greenwich 16 47 
			 LB Hackney 1 1 
			 LB Hammersmith and Fulham 14 99 
			 LB Islington 3 9 
			 LB Lambeth 5 79 
			 LB Merton 107 158 
			 LB Richmond 158 158 
			 LB Tower Hamlets 4 2 
			 Lichfield DC 158 158 
			 Liverpool CC 11 7 
			 Manchester CC 8 4 
			 Mendip DC 158 158 
			 Mid-Bedfordshire DC 158 158 
			 Newcastle Under Lyme BC 158 112 
			 North Devon DC 158 104 
			 Oldham BC 37 39 
			 Preston BC 26 46 
			 Reigate and Banstead BC 158 158 
			 Restormel BC 158 158 
			 Rother DC 158 158 
			 Shrewsbury and Atcham BC 158 158 
			 South Hams District Council 158 158 
			 South Oxfordshire DC 158 158 
			 South Somerset DC 158 158 
			 South Staffs C 155 158 
			 St. Edmundsbury 158 158 
			 Staffordshire Moorlands DC 158 147 
			 Stoke-on-Trent CC 55 54 
			 Sunderland CC 34 26 
			 Tameside 100 102 
			 Telford and Wrekin 158 89 
			 Test Valley BC 158 158 
			 Tewkesbury BC 158 158 
			 Torbay BC 115 158 
			 Tynedale BC 158 158 
			 West Devon BC 158 158 
			 West Lindsey DC 110 121 
			 West Oxfordshire DC 158 158 
			 West Somerset DC 158 158 
			 West Wiltshire DC 158 158 
			 Weymouth and Portland C 158 124 
			 Wirral 60 57 
			 Worthing BC 121 158 
			 Wyre Forest DC 158 129

Housing (Older People)

Paul Burstow: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he will publish the choice and quality in housing for older people guidance strategy that has been conducted with the Department of Health; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Sutton and Cheam (Mr. Burstow) on 27 June 2002, Official Report, column 1034W.

Temporary Accommodation

Margaret Moran: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what further measures he is taking to increase supply of temporary accommodation to replace the use of bed-and-breakfast for the homeless.

Tony McNulty: In March 2002 we announced a 35 million programme to help local authorities ensure that by March 2004 no homeless family with children is in bed-and-breakfast hotels (BB) for more than six weeks.
	On 17 June 2002 almost 25 million was allocated to 44 high BB using local authorities to assist them reduce numbers in BB. The funding is being used on a range of initiatives to procure alternative temporary accommodation to BB and on measures to prevent homelessness occurring. We are now working with the next 40 or so highest using BB authorities to see how we can assist them in reducing numbers.
	In addition, all local authorities will benefit from the changes the Department for Work and Pensions has recently made to housing benefit subsidy levels which make local authority leasing of self-contained temporary accommodation much more financially viable than BB hotels.

Home Valuations

Oliver Letwin: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the impact upon home purchasers of the practice of district valuers reviewing the effect of improvements on value only after a sale takes place.

Nick Raynsford: Dwellings are only revalued following improvements when the property is subsequently sold. This is so that people are not deterred from improving their home because their council tax might increase. The reassessment may lead to a property being moved to a higher council tax band. However, this is not always the case. No assessment has been made of the impact upon home purchaser.

Social Housing Targets

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has made to meet the 2010 social housing targets if tenants vote against large scale voluntary stock transfers; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: The Government have substantially increased the resources provided to local authorities for housing investment to support delivery of the commitment on decent social housing. Where an authority is unable to fund the works necessary to bring its housing up to a decent standard by 2010 from its own resources and those provided through the Major Repairs Allowance and the Housing Investment Programme, there are three options for additional funding:
	transfer the housing to a housing association which can access private finance;
	qualify for additional funding by establishing a high performing arms length management organisation;
	acquire additional resources through the Private Finance Initiative.
	The planned ending of direct control of local authority borrowing will also allow increased investment where an authority can meet the additional borrowing costs.
	It is for local authorities to decide with their tenants which investment option to pursue and we have extended the role of the Community Housing Task Force to help them with this. If stock transfer is rejected by tenants, then clearly the authority needs to consider which of the other options will enable it to deliver.

Right to Buy

Chris Grayling: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether housing associations retain funds raised as a result of the exercising of the right to buy.

Tony McNulty: The right to buy can be exercised only by those few housing association tenants who are secure tenants of non-charitable housing associations. Any sale proceeds that remain after the deduction of expenses, outstanding loan debt and the recovery of any grant for the original provision of the property, may be retained and spent on purposes permitted by legislation for an association registered with the Housing Corporation.
	Former local authority tenants of housing stock that has been transferred to registered social landlords retain a Preserved Right to Buy. The transfer arrangements will normally contain a sharing agreement aimed at giving the local authority a share of sales receipts.
	Tenants of registered social landlord properties built or acquired with public funds since 1 April 1997 have a right to acquire their rented home under the Housing Act 1996. The Housing Corporation provides the registered social landlord with a grant to cover the discount offered to the tenant for right to acquire sales and the landlord retains all proceeds of such disposals. The legislation requires the proceeds to be placed in a separate fundthe Disposal Proceeds Fundand the Housing Corporation directs the registered social landlord to use the proceeds to provide replacement housing for rent.

Equity Release Schemes

Eric Martlew: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to promote equity release schemes to assist with disrepair in the owner-occupied housing sector.

Tony McNulty: The Regulatory Reform (Housing Assistance) (England and Wales) Order 2002 was approved by Parliament on 28 May and will come into force very shortly. It will allow local authorities to develop equity release schemes for housing renewal. This Order contains a new power enabling local authorities to provide assistance to owner-occupiers for the repair, improvement or adaptation of their properties. Such assistance can be provided in a variety of ways including grants, loans or equity release schemes. It replaces the powers contained in the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 which allowed local authorities to make renovation grants available to homeowners.

Empty Homes

Peter Pike: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he will announce the money being allocated to Burnley to tackle the problem of empty homes as part of the East Lancashire Housing Renewal pathfinder project.

Nick Raynsford: We announced on 16 May that we were making available 25 million from the Capital Modernisation Fund to assist low demand pathfinder projects in vital preparatory work, in equal shares of 2.66 million (1 million will be retained centrally for collective monitoring and evaluation). That funding will, importantly, not be distributed to individual local authorities but to the pathfinder project as a whole. We are considering the case for further investment to tackle low demand, over and above that which local authorities and others already devote to tackling the problem, in the spending review.

Fire Brigades Union

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he last met representatives from the Fire Brigades Union; what was discussed; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Raynsford: Responsibility for the Fire Service transferred to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister on 29 May 2002. The Deputy Prime Minister has not met with representatives of the Fire Brigades Union.

Refurbishment

Joan Walley: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the refurbishment projects that (a) are in progress and (b) will start within the next six months; and what action is being taken to ensure that these will procure certified timber.

Douglas Alexander: I have been asked to reply.
	My right hon. Friend the Member for Oldham, West and Royton (Mr. Meacher) set out the Government's policy on timber procurement in his answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Elmet (Colin Burgon) on 28 July 2000, Official Report, column 948W.
	The Ripley Building and Kirkland House are currently being refurbished by the Cabinet Office. The Cabinet Office is working closely with Balfour Beatty, the main contractor, to seek to ensure that all timber for this project, that has not yet been ordered, is procured in accordance with that policy. A full investigation into timber procurement matters on this project has been undertaken by the Cabinet Office. A report of the findings of the investigation is due to be published shortly.
	As part of some wider electrical and rewiring and redecoration works under way in Admiralty House, one new hardwood timber door is being procured. This is being procured from an independently-certified sustainable source.
	In May 2002 the Cabinet Office entered into a private finance initiative contract with Initial Style Conferences Ltd. (ISC) for a rolling programme of construction and refurbishment works to the Sunningdale Park estate. The terms of the contract require ISC to purchase timber or timber products which are compliant with the Government's policy on timber procurement relevant at the time. The Cabinet Office will provide the details of the timber procurement policy relevant at any particular time and work with ISC to ensure their compliance with it.
	The refurbishment of the National Crises Management Centre is due to commence within the next six months. The contract specification for this will include a clause stating that all timber used in the project should be procured in accordance with the Government's policy on timber procurement current at the time. The Cabinet Office will be responsible for providing details of the policy to the contractor and will work with them to help ensure their compliance with it.

Ombudsman System

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to bring forward legislation to reform the ombudsman system.

Douglas Alexander: I have been asked to reply.
	The Government have made clear that they intend to bring forward legislation to replace the existing arrangements with a more unified ombudsman body when parliamentary time allows.

Fire Stations

Alan Campbell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many fire stations have been (a) opened and (b) closed since 1995.

Nick Raynsford: Based on annual returns to HM Fire Service Inspectorate, the number of fire stations in each fire authority area in England and Wales at 1 January for each year from 1995 to 2002 is set out in the table. On the basis of these returns, 10 fire stations have opened and 14 closed since 1 January 1995. However, these figures do not reflect instances where the opening of a fire station is balanced by the closure of another in the same fire authority within the same calendar year.
	
		Number of fire stations in England and Wales at 1 January 19951 January 2002
		
			 Brigade name 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 
		
		
			 Avon 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 
			 Bedfordshire 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 
			 Buckinghamshire 22 22 20 20 20 20 20 20 
			 Cambridgeshire 28 28 28 28 28 28 28 28 
			 Cheshire 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 
			 Cleveland 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 
			 Cornwall 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 
			 County Durham and Darlington 17 17 16 15 15 15 15 15 
			 Cumbria 38 38 38 38 38 38 38 38 
			 Derbyshire 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 
			 Devon 58 58 58 58 58 58 58 58 
			 Dorset 26 26 29 29 29 29 29 30 
			 East Sussex 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 
			 Essex 51 51 51 51 51 51 51 51 
			 Gloucestershire 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 
			 Greater Manchester 44 43 43 43 43 43 43 43 
			 Hampshire 55 55 54 54 54 54 52 52 
			 Hereford and Worcester 26 26 26 26 26 26 26 27 
			 Hertfordshire 32 32 32 32 32 32 32 32 
			 Humberside 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 32 
			 Isle of Wight 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 
			 Isles of Scilly 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 
			 Kent 66 66 66 66 66 66 66 66 
			 Lancashire 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 
			 Leicestershire 19 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 
			 Lincolnshire 37 37 37 37 37 37 38 38 
			 London 113 113 113 113 113 113 112 112 
			 Merseyside 27 27 27 27 27 26 26 26 
			 Mid and West Wales 60 60 57 57 57 57 57 57 
			 Norfolk 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 
			 North Wales 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 
			 North Yorkshire 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 
			 Northamptonshire 22 22 22 22 22 22 22 22 
			 Northumberland 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 
			 Nottinghamshire 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 
			 Oxfordshire 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 
			 Royal Berkshire 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 
			 Shropshire 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 
			 Somerset 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 
			 South Wales 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 
			 South Yorkshire 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 
			 Staffordshire 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 
			 Suffolk 36 36 36 36 36 36 36 36 
			 Surrey 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 
			 Tyne and Wear 18 18 18 19 19 19 19 19 
			 Warwickshire 20 20 20 20 20 19 19 19 
			 West Midlands 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 
			 West Sussex 28 28 28 28 28 28 28 28 
			 West Yorkshire 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 
			 Wiltshire 24 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 
			  
			 Total 1,612 1,613 1,609 1,609 1,609 1,607 1,605 1,608 
		
	
	Source:
	ODPM calendar year returns

Local Authority Housing

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister which local authorities have undertaken full or partial transfers of their local authority housing stock in each year since 1997.

Tony McNulty: There have been 57 full and 39 partial large scale voluntary transfers (LSVT) of local authority housing stock undertaken by 73 authorities since 1997. The table shows which authorities have undertaken full or partial LSVT since 1997.
	
		List of all housing stock voluntary transfers which have taken place since 1997
		
			 Authority Date of transfer No. of dwellings 
		
		
			 Cotswold DC(20) 28 February 1997 4,282 
			 South Staffordshire C(20) 7 March 1997 5,273 
			 Lichfield DC(20) 19 March 1997 4,921 
			 South Oxfordshire DC 7 July 1997 5,018 
			 Eden C 22 September 1997 1,510 
			 LB Lambeth(21) Moorlands(22) 5 January 1998 515 
			 LB Bexley 9 February 1998 4,118 
			 LB Bexley(22),(23) 9 February 1998 4,097 
			 Congleton BC 2 March 1998 4,061 
			 Oldham BC(21) Limehurst 9 March 1998 642 
			 Liverpool CC(21) Windermere(22) 19 March 1998 493 
			 LB Merton(21) Pollards Hill(22) 23 March 1998 1,018 
			 LB Tower Hamlets(21) Poplar I(22) 23 March 1998 1,852 
			 Kerrier DC 23 March 1998 3,732 
			 LB Hackney(21) Kingsmead(22) 30 March 1998 951 
			 LB Brent(21) Fortunegate/Church End(22) 30 March 1998 1,481 
			 Basildon DC(21) Vange(22) 30 March 1998 708 
			 West Somerset DC 30 March 1998 1,869 
			 Stoke-on-Trent CC(21) Bentilee(22) 31 March 1998 917 
			 Tewkesbury BC 27 April 1998 3,066 
			 Rother DC 1 May 1998 3,058 
			 LB Lambeth(21) Lansdowne Green(22),(23) 20 July 1998 681 
			 LB Tower Hamlets(21) Poplar II(22),(23) 7 December 1998 2,431 
			 Wirral(21) Leasowe(22) 25 January 1999 1,082 
			 Tameside(21) West Ashton(22) 1 February 1999 901 
			 West Devon BC 22 February 1999 1,446 
			 South Somerset DC 1 March 1999 8,883 
			 East Lindsey DC 1 March 1999 5,102 
			 Liverpool CC(21) Pinehurst(22),(23) 5 March 1999 646 
			 Manchester CC(22),(23) 8 March 1999 1,030 
			 LB Hackney(21) Morningside(22),(23) 15 March 1999 1,084 
			 South Hams district council 22 March 1999 3,096 
			 LB Hammersmith and Fulham(21) Old Oak(22) 17 March 1999 668 
			 LB Hackney(21) Upper Clapton(22),(23) 22 March 1999 1,000 
			 Telford and Wrekin C 25 March 1999 13,081 
			 LB Enfield(22) 29 March 1999 1,194 
			 Worthing BC 29 March 1999 2,525 
			 Bath and North East Somerset C 29 March 1999 9,887 
			 Manchester CC(21) East Wythenshawe(22),(23) 29 March 1999 6,667 
			 LB Greenwich(21) Charlton Triangle(22) 29 March 1999 1,280 
			 LB Hackney(21) Haggerston(22),(23) 29 March 1999 661 
			 Allerdale BC 31 March 1999 3,704 
			 Allerdale BC(21) Salterbeck(22),(23) 31 March 1999 727 
			 Preston BC(21) Avenham(22) 14 June 1999 1,121 
			 LB Lambeth(21) Central Stockwell(22),(23) 5 July 1999 2,358 
			 Birmingham CC(21) Central Areas(22) 21 June 1999 2,813 
			 LB Islington(21) Barnsbury(22) 26 September 1999 647 
			 LB Islington(21) Ten Estates(22),(23) 26 September 1999 739 
			 Liverpool CC(21) Speke Garston(22),(23) 4 October 1999 4,382 
			 West Lindsey DC 18 October 1999 3,929 
			 LB Lambeth(21) St. Martins(22),(23) 25 October 1999 1,033 
			 Boston BC 29 November 1999 4,871 
			 Tynedale DC 20 December 1999 3,564 
			 Newcastle under Lyme BC 31 January 2000 9,887 
			 Restormel BC 7 February 2000 3,577 
			 Manchester CC Colshaw Farm(22),(23) 14 February 2000 600 
			 North Devon DC 21 February 2000 3,293 
			 LB Hackney(21) Stamford Hill(22),(23) 6 March 2000 1,095 
			 LB Hackney(21) Pembury Estate(22),(23) 6 March 2000 1,241 
			 Burnley BC 8 March 2000 5,330 
			 Manchester CC Sale Estate(22),(23) 20 March 2000 1,655 
			 Weymouth and Portland C 20 March 2000 3,105 
			 Huntingdon DC 20 March 2000 6,650 
			 Elmbridge BC 27 March 2000 4,894 
			 Test Valley BC 27 March 2000 5,495 
			 Wyre Forest DC 27 March 2000 6,056 
			 Manchester CC Whitefield Estate(22),(23) 27 March 2000 1,033 
			 LB Tower Hamlets(21) THCH(22),(23) 27 March 2000 1,551 
			 Tameside MBC(23) 27 March 2000 8,532 
			 Tameside MBC(23) 27 March 2000 7,934 
			 LB Richmond 17 July 2000 7,139 
			 Coventry CC 22 September 2000 20,125 
			 Fylde BC 2 October 2000 1,905 
			 Chester CC 27 November 2000 7,096 
			 Horsham DC 11 December 2000 4,650 
			 LB Tower Hamlets(22),(23) 12 February 2001 196 
			 East Northamptonshire DC 19 February 2001 3,495 
			 Torbay C 19 February 2001 2,947 
			 Staffordshire Moorlands DC 23 February 2001 3,132 
			 Calderdale MBC 6 March 2001 12,759 
			 Chichester DC 13 March 2001 5,321 
			 Mendip DC 19 March 2001 4,326 
			 West Wiltshire DC(23) 26 March 2001 3,284 
			 West Oxfordshire DC 26 March 2001 3,643 
			 East Staffordshire BC 26 March 2001 5,637 
			 Manchester CC Handforth Estate(22),(23) 26 March 2001 659 
			 Sunderland CC 26 March 2001 36,356 
			 Blackburn with Darwen BC 28 March 2001 9,886 
			 Shrewsbury and Atcham BC 1 October 2001 5,500 
			 Mid-Bedfordshire DC 5 November 2001 3,084 
			 Derbyshire Dales 4 March 2002 3,287 
			 Chelmsford BC 11 March 2002 6,902 
			 East Hertfordshire DC 18 March 2002 2,687 
			 East Hertfordshire DC 18 March 2002 3,237 
			 Erewash BC 25 March 2002 5,847 
			 Reigate and Banstead BC 25 March 2002 4,846 
			   
			 Total number of dwellings  386,689 
			 Average number of dwellings  4,028 
			 Number of authorities  73 
			 Number of whole transfers  57 
			 Number of partial transfers  39 
			 Number of transfers  96 
			 Number of transfers to repeating authorities  24 
		
	
	(20) These transfers were completed before Labour came into office.
	(21) Transfer is an Estate Renewal Challenge Fund Scheme.
	(22) Partial transfer.
	(23) Transfer to repeating authority.

HEALTH

Intermediate Care Beds

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many extra (a) intermediate care beds and (b) non- residential intermediate care places have been introduced since the publication of the National Plan.

Jacqui Smith: The results of a survey in autumn 2001 for national health service intermediate care in England indicated that good progress has been made towards meeting the NHS Plan targets.
	While audited figures for 200102 will not be available for another eight weeks or so, we expect on the basis of last year's survey that around an additional 2,400 intermediate care beds and 6,200 non-residential intermediate care places will have been provided, compared to year 19992000, which was the baseline used in the NHS Plan.

Rural Awareness

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  when his Department will introduce measures to raise rural awareness through staff (a) training, (b) development and (c) secondments as part of overall rural proofing measures set out in the Countryside Agency's report Rural Proofing in 200102;
	(2)  when his Department will establish rural targets and monitoring established as part of overall rural proofing measures as set out in the Countryside Agency's report, Rural Proofing in 200102;
	(3)  when his Department will have rural proofing embedded in policy-making procedures as set out in the Countryside Agency's report, Rural Proofing in 200102.

Hazel Blears: The Department is committed to introducing a process of rural proofing as set out in the Rural White Paper (2000). I have taken careful note of the recommendations in the report of the Countryside Agency, and will take them fully into account in further implementing rural proofing throughout the Department.

MMR Vaccine

Julie Kirkbride: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made with plans to launch a national advertising campaign to promote the MMR vaccine.

Hazel Blears: Through frequent and extensive market research studies, it is clear that parents want clear, consistent advice based upon the facts about MMR. The Government's efforts have therefore focused on ensuring both parents and health professionals have access to scientifically accurate information about the vaccine. The leaflet 'MMRthe facts' has been updated. To supplement this an information pack for parents containing factsheets, website references, a list of published research and a glossary of terms has been developed. The availability of this information pack, through NHS Direct, is being advertised in the national and regional press.

Prescription Fraud

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of fraudulent exemption claims for prescriptions were submitted by pharmacists in (a) 1998, (b) 1999, (c) 2000 and (d) 2001.

David Lammy: The responsibility for detecting fraudulent claims for prescriptions submitted by pharmacists has lain with the Prescription Pricing Authority for each of the years referred to.
	The number of cases where they have detected potential fraud is detailed in the table:
	
		
			  Number of referrals 
		
		
			 1998 3 
			 1999 2 
			 2000 2 
			 2001 7 
		
	
	In March 2002 it was decided, in order to put in place more effective arrangements, that the national health service counter fraud service should take over this area of work. This is likely to take place late in 2002.
	The table represents the number of investigations carried out, where the pharmacist has received the prescription charge from the patient and then submitted the prescription for payment as exempt. The majority of these referrals were identified during samples for targeted checks on patient claims to exemptions, and may not be representative of all patient exemption claims as a whole.

Waiting Lists

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action his Department is taking to reduce the waiting times of elderly patients and mental health patients on the Isle of Sheppey.

Hazel Blears: The Government are committed to improving services for the elderly and mentally ill. National service frameworks have been published for both mental health services and those for older people, setting out new standards of care with targets for delivery.
	I understand that Swale Primary Care Trust is currently considering options to improve waiting times for elderly and mentally infirm patients and also to improve access to mental health services.

Waiting Lists

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his estimate is of the in-patient hospital waiting list in (a) March 1997, (b) December 2001, (c) March 2002, (d) June 2002 and (e) the latest date for which information is available; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: The table shows published figures for the number of patients waiting for elective admission at national health service trusts in England at month end. Figures for April 2002 are the latest available. Data for June will be published on 9 August.
	
		Patients waiting for elective admission: NHS Trusts, England
		
			 Month end Number 
		
		
			 March 1997 1,158,004 
			 December 2001 1,050,221 
			 March 2002 1,035,365 
			 April 2002 1,046,265 
		
	
	Source:
	Department of Health form KH07

Scrapie

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects the final results of the research being carried out for the Food Standards Agency of the Veterinary Laboratories Agency into the level of scrapie infectivity after intestine processing for sausage casings to be (a) completed and (b) published.

Hazel Blears: I am advised by the Food Standards Agency that work funded to date by the agency on sheep intestines has shown that not all the tissues that are most likely to contain scrapie infectivity are removed by the casings manufacturing process. A contract to carry out work to quantify the risk reduction has not yet been awarded. Such work is likely to involve bioassay and may take some time to complete and publish.

BSE

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  when he expects the European Commission's country by country assessments of the geographical bovine spongiform encephalopathy risk of small ruminants (a) to be sent to this Department and (b) to be published;
	(2)  what representations he has made to the European Commission about the time scale for the completion and publication of the country by country assessment of the geographical bovine spongiform encephalopathy risk of small ruminants;

Hazel Blears: I am advised by the Food Standards Agency, that the agency's board endorsed a report on BSE and sheep from a core group of stakeholders at its meeting in Armagh on June 13. The report contained a recommendation that the agency should request that European Commission accelerate the provision of country by country BSE risk categorisation for small ruminants. The agency has formally registered the report with the Commission, but does not yet have information on the time scale for the completion of the risk categorisation.

Committee Mandates

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the mandate of the EU Advisory Committee on cancer prevention is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the United Kingdom representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: The Europe Against Cancer (EAC) programme was set up under Article 129 of the Maastricht Treaty. The programme has a management committee made up of representatives from each member state. The management committee has met once in the last year. The costs to public funds were minimal, meetings last one day, the Commission pay the travel costs of nominated representatives, UK departments are required to pay subsistence and UK travel costs.
	The programme is currently funding eight projects: European network of cancer registries; European prospective investigation into cancer and nutrition; European network on smoking prevention; European network on young people and tobacco; European cervical cancer screening network; European breast cancer network; education, science and quality assurance in radiotherapy and a project to evaluate the European code against cancer.
	The overarching European public health action programme of which the EAC programme is one part ends on 31 December 2002. The new European public health action programme has been agreed under conciliation procedures and is expected shortly.
	Together with member states, the Commission is currently conducting a review to bring existing legislation on the conduct of comitology committees into line with Council Decision 1999/468/EC, to
	simplify the requirements for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission.
	As an obligation to this decision, the Commission undertook to publish an annual report on the working of committees. The first report was deposited in the Libraries of both Houses on 26 February 2002 (Com (2001) 783 Final.
	As part of the review process, the UK Government have encouraged the Commission to produce and maintain an electronic database of every comitology committee, its agendas and recent actions, to be accessible through its website.

Disease Statistics

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his policy is on the collection of statistics on mobility and mortality rates of various conditions and diseases.

Hazel Blears: The Department makes use of the following information on mortality and morbidity, in particular to support the NHS Plan, Our Healthier Nation and work on health inequalities.
	Mortality statistics are the responsibility of the registrar general who is also director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The cause of every death is certified either by a doctor who attended the deceased in his last illness, or a coroner. ONS codes the diseases, injuries and external causes from the certificate and selects the underlying cause using the current revision of the international classification of diseases, published by the World Health Organisation. Since January 2001, the Tenth Revision (ICD-10) has been used. Prior to that, the Ninth Revision was in use from 1979. Mortality statistics are published by ONS in electronic and paper form and are used by the Department, other Government Departments, the national health service and academic researchers.
	The Department collects and uses a wide range of data on morbidity according to the condition of interest and the context of the question to be answered
	Data sources in the Department and the ONS include population surveys (such as the health survey for England, general household survey) and health services data (such as hospital episode statistics and the Royal College of General Practitioners Weekly Returns Service). Data sources include administrative sources and ad-hoc surveys according to the particular issues. Some sources have general health information and others focus on specific conditions (eg cancer registration, psychiatric morbidity survey). Further details of these and other sources are available on the Department's and ONS websites, www.doh.gov.uk/ public/stats1/htm, www.nationalstatistics.org.uk/.

NHS Dentistry

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS (General Dentist Services) dentists there were per 100,000 population in (a) England, (b) each NHS region and (c) each health authority in each year since 1997.

John Hutton: The total number of general dental service (GDS) dentists per 100,000 population in (a) England, (b) each national health service region and (c) each health authority is shown in the table at 30 September for the years 1997 to 2001.
	The total number of GDS dentists covers principals on a health authority list, their assistants and vocational dental practitioners.
	
		General dental service: number of dentists(24) working the GDS per 100,000 population(25) by health authority at 30 September 1997 to 2001
		
			 Health authority 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 
		
		
			 England 34 35 36 36 37 
			   
			 Northern and Yorkshire 32 32 33 33 34 
			 Bradford 32 32 30 30 30 
			 Calderdale and Kirklees 32 32 32 33 34 
			 County Durham and Darlington 25 27 28 28 28 
			 East Riding and Hull 24 24 25 27 27 
			 Gateshead and South Tyneside 34 36 36 36 36 
			 Leeds 35 38 37 36 39 
			 Newcastle and North Tyneside 34 36 37 36 37 
			 North Cumbria 33 33 33 33 34 
			 North Yorkshire 36 37 38 39 40 
			 Northumberland 32 33 34 33 33 
			 Sunderland 26 27 28 31 33 
			 Tees 34 33 35 35 37 
			 Wakefield 28 29 28 31 34 
			   
			 Trent 29 29 30 31 31 
			 Barnsley 28 28 29 28 29 
			 Doncaster 32 30 30 34 34 
			 Leicester 28 29 30 30 30 
			 Lincolnshire 22 23 24 25 25 
			 North Derbyshire 26 28 28 30 31 
			 North Nottinghamshire 26 29 30 31 31 
			 Nottingham 33 34 36 35 35 
			 Rotherham 26 28 29 30 30 
			 Sheffield 36 34 36 36 38 
			 Southern Derbyshire 29 31 31 32 31 
			 South Humber 24 25 26 26 26 
			   
			 West Midlands 29 29 30 31 31 
			 Birmingham 31 31 32 32 32 
			 Coventry 27 31 31 31 31 
			 Dudley 26 27 28 29 29 
			 Herefordshire 39 41 43 45 44 
			 North Staffordshire 23 24 26 27 27 
			 Sandwell 32 31 31 33 32 
			 Shropshire 31 32 31 34 33 
			 Solihull 26 29 30 28 33 
			 South Staffordshire 26 28 27 29 30 
			 Walsall 22 23 24 23 22 
			 Warwickshire 29 29 30 33 33 
			 Wolverhampton 28 25 27 29 30 
			 Worcestershire 34 33 35 33 34 
			   
			 North West 34 35 35 34 35 
			 Bury and Rochdale 33 32 32 30 30 
			 East Lancashire 31 32 32 32 32 
			 Liverpool 34 33 33 33 34 
			 Manchester 39 42 44 39 39 
			 Morecambe Bay 34 36 37 36 37 
			 North Cheshire 29 27 31 31 30 
			 North West Lancashire 35 35 37 35 37 
			 Salford and Trafford 34 34 34 35 36 
			 Sefton 33 35 35 35 34 
			 South Cheshire 39 41 37 38 38 
			 South Lancashire 28 31 31 31 31 
			 St. Helens and Knowsley 28 32 31 31 31 
			 Stockport 39 38 37 39 41 
			 West Pennine 31 31 31 33 32 
			 Wigan and Bolton 30 30 31 32 31 
			 Wirral 41 41 42 42 42 
			   
			 Eastern 33 34 35 36 37 
			 Bedfordshire 28 30 32 33 33 
			 Cambridgeshire(26)   31 32 34 
			 Cambridge and Huntingdon(26) 29 29
			 East Norfolk(26) 36 38
			 Hertfordshire 41 43 46 46 49 
			 Norfolk(26)   34 34 35 
			 North Essex 32 33 33 34 35 
			 North West Anglia(26) 27 27
			 South Essex 30 31 32 35 35 
			 Suffolk 31 32 34 34 34 
			   
			 London 41 42 42 43 43 
			 Barking and Havering 28 29 31 32 34 
			 Barnet, Enfield and Haringey 42 43 44 45 45 
			 Bexley, Bromley and Greenwich 37 36 37 40 40 
			 Brent and Harrow 41 45 41 45 47 
			 Camden and Islington 55 55 56 59 59 
			 Croydon 44 42 41 42 44 
			 Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow 50 53 54 50 51 
			 East London and The City 31 32 31 30 32 
			 Hillingdon 36 38 39 41 41 
			 Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster 57 56 54 53 50 
			 Kingston and Richmond 45 45 46 45 46 
			 Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham 37 39 35 36 36 
			 Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth 42 43 45 44 47 
			 Redbridge and Waltham Forest 36 36 40 42 41 
			   
			 South East 36 37 38 38 39 
			 Berkshire 35 35 37 39 39 
			 Buckinghamshire 39 38 41 39 42 
			 East Kent 31 33 34 34 34 
			 East Surrey 45 45 43 46 46 
			 East Sussex, Brighton and Hove 40 40 41 42 43 
			 Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and SE Hampshire 30 32 34 33 35 
			 North and Mid Hampshire 33 33 35 36 37 
			 Northamptonshire 26 27 28 27 27 
			 Oxfordshire 33 36 37 40 41 
			 Southampton and South West Hampshire 34 37 36 37 36 
			 West Kent 39 37 38 37 37 
			 West Surrey 42 44 44 45 47 
			 West Sussex 40 42 43 44 46 
			   
			 South and West 36 37 38 39 40 
			 Avon 40 41 43 42 43 
			 Cornwall and Isles of Scilly 31 33 34 35 36 
			 Dorset 35 38 39 39 40 
			 Gloucestershire 37 39 39 39 40 
			 North and East Devon 37 38 40 40 42 
			 Somerset 33 33 33 36 35 
			 South and West Devon 37 36 39 42 43 
			 Wiltshire 32 34 36 36 35 
		
	
	(24) Dentists are principals on a HA list, assistants and vocational dental practitioners.
	(25) ONS 1997 to 2000 mid year population estimates based on the 1991 census. ONS 2001 mid year population estimates are not yet available, mid year 2000 population estimates are used to calculate the number of dentists working in the GDS per 100,000 population in 2001.
	(26) Three HAs: Cambridge and Huntingdon, East Norfolk and North West Anglia were replaced by two HAs: Cambridge and Norfolk in April 1999.

NHS Dentistry

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what action is being taken to improve access to NHS dentistry in the Portsmouth, South constituency; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  how many NHS-registered dentists there were in the Portsmouth, South constituency in 2001; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: Hampshire and Isle of Wight health authority has advised me that there are plans to develop a school of dental hygiene and therapy within Portsmouth university. Proposals to use this facility as a dental access centre are under consideration.
	Information on the number of national health service dentists in the former Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and south-east Hampshire health authority area is shown in the table. Information is not available by constituency.
	
		Number of dentists working in the NHS in the Isle of Wight, -- Portsmouth and south-east Hampshire health authorityat 30 September 2001
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 GDS dentists(27) 238 
			 Salaried service of GDS 0 
			 PDS dentists only(28) 11 
			 Salaried community dentists(29) 30 
			 Hospital salaried dentists(29) 30 
			 Total 305 
		
	
	(27) The general dental service (GDS) includes principals on a health authority list, assistants and vocational dental practitioners.
	(28) The personal dental service (PDS) covers dentists working in the PDS who are not working in the GDS.
	(29) Figures are rounded to the nearest 10.
	Notes:
	1. The number of NHS dentists includes GDS dentists, dentists working in the salaried services of the GDS, hospital and community dentists and PDS dentists.
	2. The figures are on a headcount basis rather than whole time equivalent (wte) and take no account of part-time working.
	3. Dentists working in more than one dental service are included in each service apart from dentists working in both PDS and GDS who are counted in the GDS only.
	4. Dentists working solely in private dentistry are not covered in these figures.

Doctors (Specialist Posts)

Alistair Burt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to take steps to allow doctors to have experience gained in associate specialist posts taken into account in their progression to consultancy level; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: We have consulted on proposals to amend the European Specialist Qualifications Order (1995), to enable the Specialist Training Authority of the Medical Royal Colleges to take training, as well as qualifications, into account when assessing doctors for entry to the specialist register. There was strong support for our proposals from the medical profession and the amended legislation is currently being prepared. The proposed amendment is designed to facilitate entry to the specialist register for doctors working in the national health service, and may be of benefit to doctors in the non-consultant career grade posts.
	We did not specifically consult on the inclusion of experience gained outside formal training posts, as criteria for entry to the specialist register, for the current amendment. However, some responses to consultation indicated that we should consider the inclusion of experience. We accept that there needs to be a proper debate about the issue and we are considering taking forward work to look at the appropriateness of including experience in the longer term. We would not introduce retrospectively approved experience as a criterion for entry to the specialist register without a full debate and consultation about the appropriateness of this with the medical profession.

Child Care

Brian Cotter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what child care provisions or schemes are made available to NHS staff.

John Hutton: A national survey of national health service child care provision, undertaken early in 2001, found that 114 NHS trusts provided nursery facilities for their staff. The NHS child care strategy aims to develop a further 150 on-site nursery schemes by 2004, and over 70 million has been made available for this. 60 new nursery schemes were funded last year and a further 30 have had funding allocated already this year. In addition, we expect all new build hospitals to include an on-site nursery in its plans.
	We are expanding the NHS child care strategy to cover other forms of child care and to ensure that all staff groups are included. We have pledged additional funding for NHS child care, building up to 100 million, to do this. Many NHS trusts already provide holiday play schemes and other forms of child care support, and we want to ensure that all NHS organisations help meet their staff's child care needs. In addition, all staff will have access to an NHS child care co-ordinator by April 2003, and we are providing funding to pump-prime these posts. Over 70 child care co-ordinators are already working in the NHS, developing local child care strategies, and providing advice and support to parents working in the NHS. A number of NHS trusts also provide child care vouchers to their staff.

Child Care

Brian Cotter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospitals within England provide creche facilities for their staff.

John Hutton: A national survey of national health service child care provision, undertaken early in 2001, found that 114 NHS trusts provided nursery facilities for their staff. The NHS child care strategy aims to develop a further 150 on-site nursery schemes by 2004, and over 70 million has been made available for this. 60 new nursery schemes were funded last year and a further 30 have had funding allocated already this year. In addition, we expect all new build hospitals to include an on-site nursery in its plans.

Variant CJD

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in the Portsmouth, South constituency have been diagnosed with a probable variant CJD; what treatment they are receiving; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: Information is not collected at constituency level. The National CJD Surveillance Unit has advised me that there have been two cases of definite or probable vCJD where patient was resident in Hampshire at death and five cases of definite/probable vCJD resident in Hampshire at onset of symptoms. Currently there are no patients diagnosed with definite/probable vCJD in the county. Information is not held centrally on the care individual patients received.

Drug Rehabilitation Programmes

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what funding has been given to drug rehabilitation programmes in the Portsmouth, South constituency in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: The information requested on funding given to drug rehabilitation programmes in the Portsmouth, South constituency is not held centrally. More information on local drug rehabilitation services will be available from the Drug Treatment and Advice Service.

Orphan Drug Law

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the effect has been of the Orphan Drug law on (a) hospitals and (b) patients in the Portsmouth, South constituency; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: No assessment has been made centrally of the effect of the European Union Orphan Drug regulations on the Portsmouth, South constituency.
	The Orphan Drug regulations are vital to encourage drug companies to produce clinically tested medicines for disorders that affect a very small number of people. Without the regulations these drugs would not be available.

Cardiac Care

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment he has made of the impact of prescribing practice relating to statins on the risk of a second heart attack to people aged 60 years and over; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: We have not made a recent assessment of the impact of statin prescribing practice on the risk of second heart attack in people aged over 60.
	There is a well established evidence base drawn from several trials for the benefit of statin therapy in preventing further events in patients with established coronary heart disease (CHD). This evidence underpins the guidance on prescribing of statins contained in the national service framework (NSF) for CHD, as amended by the Chief Medical Officer's Update 29 (February 2001). It recommends that people with clinical evidence of CHD should be prescribed statins to lower their cholesterol level to below 5.0mmol/l or reduce total serum cholesterol by about 2025 per cent., whichever would result in the lowest level. Equivalent figures for LDL cholesterol would be 3.0 mmol/l or by 30 per cent. reduction, whichever results in the lowest level.
	An underlying principle of the NSF that services and treatments should be accessible to everyone on the basis of need, irrespective of age, gender, race, culture, religion, disability, sexual orientation or where people happen to live.

Health Professionals

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many applications there were to train as a (a) general practitioner, (b) social worker, (c) physiotherapist and (d) special therapist in (i) London and (ii) England and Wales in each of the last five years, broken down by (A) health authority and (B) region.

John Hutton: This information is not held centrally.

Irradiated Goods

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the safeguards in place to prevent the sale of irradiated goods in the United Kingdom; and what regular monitoring takes place in this regard.

Hazel Blears: The sale of irradiated foods in England are strictly controlled by the Food (Control of Irradiation) Regulations 1990, as amended by the Food Irradiation Provision (England) Regulations 2000. Similar legislation applies in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
	The enforcement of these is the responsibility of local authorities. Periodic checks are carried out to ensure that irradiated foods are not being incorrectly marketed and action taken where necessary.
	For example, in a recent survey by the Food Standards Agency a number of dietary supplements were found to contain non-approved irradiated ingredients and the companies concerned were told to withdraw the affected products. A copy of the survey report has been placed in the Library.

Food Labelling

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will introduce measures to require the labelling of all food sold for human consumption in the United Kingdom to contain clear details of genetically modified contents.

Hazel Blears: The Genetically Modified and Novel Foods (Labelling) (England) Regulations 2000 require foods containing genetically modified material, such as DNA or protein, to be labelled. Equivalent provisions apply in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Food Labelling

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to require labels to identify food substances, colourings and additives which could result in hyperactive behaviour among children and young people.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 27 June 2002
	European Union rules already require the labels of pre-packed foods to declare their ingredients, including additives such as colourings, although some exemptions do apply. Amendments currently under discussion would remove a number of these exemptions, including the 'compound ingredient rule' which exempts ingredients of ingredients making up less than 25 per cent. of the food. The Food Standards Agency is supporting plans for early discussions aimed at removing the ingredient listing exemption for alcoholic drinks. It is also pressing for an early review of the justification for the remaining exemptions, especially those which apply to additives used as processing aids or which do not have a technological function in the final food.

General Practitioners

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will issue detailed guidance notes on financial support towards costs GPs incur as owner-occupiers or leaseholders of premises used to provide NHS general practice services.

John Hutton: For general practitioners (GPs) who work under the national framework for general medical services (GMS), detailed guidance on funding premises is contained in the statement of fees and allowances. Guidance for GPs who work under locally agreed contracts for personal medical services is included in Personal Medical Services: Comprehensive Guidance. Guidance on the new flexibilities announced on 19 April 2002, will be issued soon. Further guidance will be issued in due course on any further changes to premises arrangements which may be proposed as part of the new GMS contract currently being developed by the national health service confederation and the British Medical Association.

Domiciliary Community Care

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the Government are doing to ensure that councils' policy on charging for domiciliary community care is in line with the national guidance by (a) 1 October 2002 and (b) 1 April 2003.

Jacqui Smith: Monitoring of the implementation of this policy is being carried out by the Department's social services inspectorate, as part of a wider in-year monitoring programme. Councils have been asked to indicate the stage of preparation reached at 31 May 2002, in implementing the policy. Results are currently being processed. We propose to repeat the monitoring in autumn 2002 and spring of 2003.

Domiciliary Community Care

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures are in place to ensure that local authorities consult users of domiciliary community care services when deciding on their charging policy.

Jacqui Smith: The guidance Fairer Charging Policies for Home Care and other non-residential Social Services, issued in November 2001, requires councils to consult users and carers when deciding their charging policy. The guidance is issued under Section 7 of the Local Authority Social Services Act 1970 and is legally binding.

Mental Health

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the answer of 21 May 2002, Official Report, column 310W, when the next bilateral ministerial meeting between health and education to discuss child and adolescent mental health is to take place.

Jacqui Smith: I have no current date to meet ministerial colleagues at the Department for Education and Skills to discuss child and adolescent mental health. Officials in the Department regularly meet with their counterparts at the Department of Education and Skills to discuss this topic. The last time they met was Thursday 27 June.

Mental Health

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the answer of 21 May 2002, Official Report, column 310W, whether the training of teachers in mental health issues was discussed at the bi-lateral ministerial meeting; and if he will make a statement on the outcome of the meeting and work to be taken forward.

Jacqui Smith: At the meeting we discussed the broad issues surrounding health and education and the interface. The training of teachers in mental health issues was not discussed in specific detail.

Primary Care

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 20 May 2002, Official Report, column 159W, what research the Department has commissioned into CAMHS in primary care; and if he will place the preliminary, emerging and final results in the Library.

Jacqui Smith: A joint research study into child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) in primary care was commissioned from teams at the national primary care research and development centre, University of Manchester, the academic department of child and adolescent psychiatry, Imperial College, London and the department of psychiatry, University of Manchester. Their final report will be available for release shortly and I will arrange for a copy to be placed in the Library.

Lister Hospital, Stevenage

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans there are for capital development of the Maxilla/Facial, Orthodontic and Restorative Department at the Lister Hospital, Stevenage.

David Lammy: Further work is being undertaken by East and North Hertfordshire National Health Service Trust with respect to capital development of the maxilla/facial, orthodontic and restorative department at the Lister Hospital. This will be presented to a future stakeholder meeting.

Nurses

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  if he plans to amend the draft Nurses' Agencies Regulations to (a) reduce the level of financial disclosure and (b) reduce the number of appraisals of nurses' overall performance;
	(2)  for what reasons it is necessary to conduct an agency providing nurses' services in a different office from one providing domiciliary care;
	(3)  when he expects to lay the Nurses' Agencies Regulations before Parliament;
	(4)  what account will be taken of experience in establishing the management ability of the owner or manager of a nurses' agency;
	(5)  what plans he has to make amendments to the draft Nurses' Agencies Regulations prior to laying them;
	(6)  what requirement as to health and safety audit he intends to impose on nurses' agencies in respect of patients' homes prior to commencement of care; and if he will make a statement as to how this will operate in cases of urgency;
	(7)  what plans he has to allow the National Care Standards Commission to have access to the premises of nurses' agencies at night.

Jacqui Smith: The Nurses Agency Regulations and National Minimum Standards are being finalised in the light of responses to the consultation exercise. We will lay the regulations before Parliament as soon as possible.
	Several of the issues raised are under active consideration in response to the consultation.

Nurses

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what safeguards there are for the privacy of medical records of the managers and owners of the nurses' agencies produced to the authorities for the purpose of showing fitness to run an agency.

Jacqui Smith: The National Care Standards Commission is subject to the provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998.

Chiropody

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 24 June 2002, Official Report, column 735W, on chiropody, whether the shift in policy focus referred to has led to service reductions; and if he will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: We are not aware that the shift in policy focus from professionally-led guidance to patient-led services has led to service reductions. Shifting the balance of power has placed increasing emphasis on involving frontline staff including chiropodists and podiatrists, and consulting with users and carers to ensure services meet the needs of the local population. Primary care trusts (PCTs) are responsible for ensuring the right services are delivered to the right people at the right time.
	To assist PCTs meet this increasing demand for national health service chiropody/podiatry services, we are committed to recruiting more allied health professionals (AHPs), which include chiropodists/ podiatrists, through the NHS Plan target of over 6,500 extra AHPs, and as extended and stated in the Delivery Plan, there will be 30,000 extra therapists and scientists over the September 2001 baseline by 2008.

Pershore Community Hospital

Michael Spicer: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients have been treated at the Minor Injuries Unit of Pershore Community Hospital in the last 12 months.

David Lammy: Between May 2001 and May 2002 (latest available figures) the number of patients treated at Pershore community hospital minor injuries unit was 4,132.
	Source:
	South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust.

Pershore Community Hospital

Michael Spicer: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost of running the Minor Injuries Unit of Pershore Community Hospital has been in the last 12 months.

David Lammy: In the last financial year the running cost of the minor injuries unit at Pershore Community Hospital was 57,000.
	Source:
	South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust.

Pershore Community Hospital

Michael Spicer: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps have been taken to find substitutes for staff whose illness has caused the closure of the minor injuries unit at Pershore community hospital.

David Lammy: I am advised that south Worcestershire primary care trust is actively seeking substitute nursing staff with appropriate qualifications and experience in minor injuries from the in-house nursing bank, national and local nursing agencies and an advertising campaign.

Pershore Community Hospital

Michael Spicer: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many staff have been affected by illness resulting in the closure of the minor injuries unit at Pershore community hospital; and for how long there has been a shortage of staff resulting in its closure.

David Lammy: Two staff with clinical expertise in minor injuries went on long-term sick leave at the same time. Following this the minor injuries unit was temporarily closed by South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust on 1 June 2002, on the grounds of clinical safety.

Pershore Community Hospital

Michael Spicer: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how long he estimates that the minor injuries unit of Pershore community hospital will be closed.

David Lammy: I am advised that, due to staff shortages, the minor injuries unit of Pershore community hospital was closed on 1 June 2002. The unit will reopen when nursing staff with appropriate experience and qualifications in minor injuries are recruited or when the existing staff, currently on long-term sick leave, return. This temporary closure is being reviewed by the South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust on a weekly basis.

Special Envoy

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will set out the targets for the Government's special envoy for the national health service.

John Hutton: holding answer 24 June 2002
	The remit of the Government's special envoy for the national health service is to:
	promote British medicine and the opportunities for internationally trained doctors to work in the national health service;
	support and promote the development of the NHS international fellowship scheme at home and abroad, including assisting in the recruitment and selection of fellows;
	work closely with the Department, the NHS, medical royal colleges and other stakeholders to enable fellows to make a valuable contribution to patient care and to get the best out of their clinical practice experience in the UK.

Stem Cell Research

Gwyn Prosser: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the Government's response to the House of Lords Select Committee report of Session 200102 on Stem Cell Research.

Hazel Blears: The Government's response to the House of Lords Select Committee report on Stem Cell Research is published today as CM 5561, and copies have been placed in Library.

TREASURY

Departmental Consultation

Keith Vaz: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on how many matters his Department has consulted outside lawyers; and what the total cost is of the fees charged in the last 12 months.

Ruth Kelly: This information is not held centrally, and could be collated only at disproportionate cost.

BBC World Service

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received as part of the spending review with regard to funding for the BBC World Service.

Paul Boateng: I have received a number of representations in connection with the funding of the BBC World Service in the 2002 spending review.

Buildings Insurance

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the cost of buildings insurance to his Department was (a) before and (b) after 11 September 2001.

Ruth Kelly: In the case of Inland Revenue and HM Customs and Excise, the Departments have never insured their own properties. Following the transfer of departmental properties under STEPS, the PFI contractor (Mapeley) is required to insure them as part of PFI risk transfer. The cost of insurance is subsumed within the overall facility price payable under the STEPS contract.
	In the case of the Treasury, the issue of buildings insurance only arises in the case of Allington Towers, for which HMT pay insurance under the terms of their lease. The cost covering the period November 2000 to October 2001 was 14,980; for November 2001 to October 2002 it is 17,342.

Public Service

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how the Government are meeting their commitment to report regularly on the progress made in delivering the targets for public service improvement as set out in Cm 4011; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  if he will make a statement on his Department's assessment of the success of other Departments in meeting the public service agreement targets set out in December 1998; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Boateng: Departments publish performance against their public service agreement targets in their departmental reports and, from this year, in autumn performance reports. Annex A2 on page 67 of HM Treasury's departmental report included an overall analysis of performance against the 1998 targets.

National Insurance Contributions

Tim Boswell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what responsibilities (a) his Department, (b) the Contributions Agency and (c) the Department for Work and Pensions have for ensuring collection and prompt payment by employers of national insurance contributions, including those with contracted in pension schemes; and if he will make a statement on efforts being made to ensure compliance by employers.

Dawn Primarolo: The functions of the Contributions Agency were transferred to the Inland Revenue from 6 April 1999. The Contributions Agency ceased to exist at that point and the Department for Work and Pensions no longer have any responsibility in relation to the collection of national insurance contributions.
	Employers pay over national insurance contributions either monthly or quarterly to the Inland Revenue. The Board of Inland Revenue's Annual Report shows that, in the tax year 200001, on average 89.7 per cent. of employers paid within a week of the due date.
	The Inland Revenue encourage all employers to make payment electronically via the BACS system which reduces the time taken to clear funds through the banking system.
	Where payment is delayed the Inland Revenue take a series of steps to collect that payment. This will begin with a simple phone call and, if the employer still fails to pay, may result in recovery action being taken either by means of distraint or by action in the courts.
	The Inland Revenue also act to ensure that all employers comply with their obligations. Employers are subject to regular inspections of their records by Inland Revenue officers. During the year 200102 the Inland Revenue carried out over 43,000 of these Employer Compliance Reviews and identified over 257 million of unpaid tax and national insurance contributions.

Financing for Development Conference

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people attended the Financing for Development conference in Monterrey in March from (a) his Department and (b) other UK Government Departments; and what the total cost of the visit was.

Clare Short: I have been asked to reply.
	The Monterrey Conference was attended by eight peopleincluding myselffrom DFID and 21 people from other UK Government Departments. Not all invoices have yet been received, but the total cost of the visit will be in the region of 150,000.

OECD PISA Survey

Nick Gibb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what the conceptual difference is in the science and maths questions asked in the OECD (a) TIMSS and (b) PISA surveys;
	(2)  when the OECD PISA 2000 technical report will be published.

David Miliband: I have been asked to reply.
	The OECD report, Knowledge and Skills for Life, published in December 2001, made the distinction as follows. The assessment materials in the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), which was conducted in 1995 by the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA) among students in international grades 34, 78 and the final year of secondary school, and repeated in 1999 among students in the eighth grade only, were constructed on the basis of an analysis of the intended curriculum in each participating country, so as to cover the core material common to the curriculum in the majority of participating countries. The assessment materials in PISA 2000 covered the range of skills and competencies that were, in the respective assessment domains, considered to be crucial to an individual's capacity to fully participate in, and contribute meaningfully to, a successful modern society.
	We understand from OECD that the web version of the PISA technical report is likely to be available in July and the published version in August.

Heavily Indebted Poor Countries

David Stewart: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the progress of the HIPC initiative; and what steps he is taking to enhance the debt management capacity of HIPC in order to meet the UN development goals.

John Healey: The UK continues to press to ensure that the HIPC (heavily indebted poor countries) initiative provides a sustainable exit from debt. Of the 42 HIPCs, 26 countries have already qualified for debt relief amounting to US$62 billion in total. We therefore welcome the recent announcement of an extra US$1 billion for this aim at the G8 summit in Kananaskis and the statement by G7 leaders on specific measures to deliver on the promise of the enhanced HIPC initiative. The leaders agreed to take action to secure the participation of all creditors, to complete the financing of the initiative and to address the issue of debt sustainability at completion point.
	To enable HIPC countries to develop their expertise on debt and debt management, the Department for International Development provided 2.5 million and has committed a further 1.5 million to co-fund the HIPC Capacity Building Programme, which provides technical assistance to these countries.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Committee Mandates

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the mandate of the Advisory Committee on Agricultural Product Health and Safety is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if she will list the items currently under its consideration; if she will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: The mandate of the Advisory Committee on Agricultural Product Health and Safety is set out in Commission Decision 98/235/EC. The UK is not formally represented on the committee; members are directly appointed by the Commission, drawn from across the EU, on the basis of their socioeconomic interests.
	The Commission, together with member states, is currently conducting a review to bring existing legislation on the conduct of comitology committees into line with Council Decision 1999/468/EC, to 'simplify the requirements for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission'. As an obligation to this Decision, the Commission undertook to publish an annual report on the working of committees. The first report was deposited in the Libraries of both Houses on 26 February (Com (2001) 783 Final). As part of the review process, the UK Government have encouraged the Commission to produce and maintain an electronic database of every comitology committee, its agendas and recent actions, to be available through its website.

Standstill Rule (Cumbria)

Tim Collins: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent representations she has received on the 20-day standstill rule in Cumbria.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 27 June 2002
	Industry organisations and individual farmers have made a number of representations on the impact of the 20-day standstill both in Cumbria and elsewhere. Ministers and officials are in dialogue with industry representatives about the veterinary justification for the rule and its economic impact.

Standstill Rule (Cumbria)

Tim Collins: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the practical implications of the 20-day standstill order on agricultural shows in Cumbria.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 27 June 2002
	There is firm veterinary and scientific advice in support of a 20-day standstill, both to improve the prospect of detecting disease on infected premises before animals move off, and to slow the rate of spread of any undetected disease.
	Animals moving to a show are subject to a 20-day standstill prior to their first move to a show. Animals trigger a 20-day standstill on the whole farm when they return from a show, unless they are kept in approved isolation premises for 20 days. I am aware that a number of show organisers across the country have taken steps to adjust their schedules so as to work with the standstill rules.

Mains Water

Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what percentage of domestic residences in England and Wales have no connection to mains water.

Michael Meacher: The 1996 English House Condition Survey showed that 1.1 per cent. of dwellings were not connected to a main water supply. Information from the Welsh Assembly Government is that the 1998 Welsh House Condition Survey showed that 1.3 per cent. of homes were without access to mains water.

Camels

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what restrictions exist on the movement of camels.

Alun Michael: Camelids are susceptible to foot and mouth disease (FMD), although less so than some other species. Based on veterinary advice, movements of camelids have therefore been subject to conditions set out in a general licence under the interim livestock movement controls. Details were set out in leaflets sent to all livestock farmers in February 2002 and placed in the Library of the House. They are also on the Department's website. They reflect discussions with organisations representing the owners of camelids.
	Special arrangements apply to llama trekking, which can currently take place under a separate licence issued by the DEFRA Divisional Veterinary Manager. Again, details were discussed with the relevant organisations in March 2002 and can be found on the Department's website.
	Veterinary advice has now been revised reflecting the passage of time since the end of the lambing season with no re-emergence of FMD, and it is our intention to remove all restrictions on camelid movements, including llama trekking, assuming there is no change to the current disease situation. This will require amendments to the legal instrument which sets out the animal movement controls, and the changes are expected to come into force at the end of July. Controls over camelid movements would be reimposed if a further outbreak of FMD occurred.

Fishing

Jonathan Sayeed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will oppose proposals from the European Commission for the phased introduction of vessel monitoring by satellite to all vessels down to 10 metres; and if she will request EU financing for mandatory fitting of VMS to UK vessels.

Elliot Morley: As yet there are no firm proposals to extend satellite monitoring to all vessels over 10 metres, although this is suggested in the Commission's road map to the reform of the CFP. Satellite monitoring has applied to vessels over 24 metres since 1 January 2000 and has made a significant contribution to the effectiveness of enforcement operations across the Community. There are obvious advantages in extending satellite monitoring and we shall need to consider carefully its impact on smaller vessels. It is too early to make any commitments on the issue of funding.

Fishing

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the (a) quantity and (b) value of fish quota purchased by the Shetland Fish Producers' Organisation in 1998 to 2002 for (i) cod, (ii) haddock, (iii) monk, (iv) coley and (v) hake.

Elliot Morley: Producer organisations have been able to acquire access to quota on behalf of their members by a number of means including buying up and cancelling fishing vessel licences but retaining the track record and FQA units, taking track record and FQA units from decommissioned fishing vessels and through agreements with their members and fishermen in other organisations. It is not he practice of the fisheries departments in the UK to disclose details of such transactions whether on an individual or collective basis. Moreover, the departments do not maintain records of the value of such transactions.

Fisheries Inspectorate

Jonathan Sayeed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her policy is on proposals for an EU-wide fisheries inspectorate.

Elliot Morley: The Commission has said that, following a feasibility study to be undertaken in co-operation with member states, it intends to propose the establishment before mid-2004, of a joint inspection structure at Community level, which will pool national means of inspection and surveillance in relation to fisheries or other areas and manage them within a Community framework. Pooling of means will include the operation of multinational inspection teams in both Community and international waters. The Commission has also said that the establishment of a joint inspection structure will not change the distribution of responsibilities for fisheries control and enforcement between the Commission and member states, in which the member states are primarily responsible for the control and enforcement of CFP rules and the Commission is responsible for monitoring and enforcing the correct application of Community law by the member states. Effective and consistent standards of enforcement are key priorities for the UK and we shall be examining the Commission's proposals carefully to ensure that they achieve these objectives.

Bilateral Ministerial Meetings

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when Ministers in her Department have held meetings with Ministers and officials of the Irish Government since 1 June 2000; when and where each meeting took place; which Ministers were involved in each meeting; which Irish Government Departments were involved in each meeting; and which Ministers and officials from the Irish Government attended each meeting.

Elliot Morley: DEFRA Ministers meet fairly regularly with Irish Ministers in the margins of Agriculture, Fisheries and Environment Councils and in other international meetings.
	My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State met with Joe Walsh last November. He was accompanied by John Malone (Secretary General of AFRD); Bart Brady (Assistant Secretary General); Mr. Seamus Healey (Assistant Secretary General); Mr. Colm Gaynor (CVO) and Pat Lynch (Agriculture Counsellor at the Irish embassy).
	In February the Minister for the Environment, my right hon. Friend the Member for Oldham, West and Royton (Mr. Meacher), chaired a BIC (E) meeting in Edinburgh. Sue Essex, Noel Dempsey (Environment) and Joe Jacob (Public Enterprise RoI) were in attendance.
	I met with Mr. Frank Fahey at DEFRA offices in December. Ammon Confrey (Private Secretary), Sarah White (Deputy Secretary General) and Cecil Beamish (Principal Official) were in attendance.

Statutory Instruments

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many statutory instruments have been (a) introduced, (b) removed and (c) amended by her Department since 1 January; and what the (i) cost and (ii) saving has been in each case.

Elliot Morley: As at 1 July, DEFRA had made 70 statutory instruments since 1 January 2002. All published statutory instruments are available on the HMSO website at http://www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk/stat.htm.
	Detailed information regarding costings, revocations and amendments on these instruments could be provided only at disproportionate cost, but details of regulatory impact assessments (RIAs) relating to statutory instruments can be found at the Cabinet Office website at: http:// www.cabinet-office.gov.uk/regulation/scrutiny. Copies are also placed in the Libraries of the House on the day the instrument is laid.

Herefordshire

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for what reason Herefordshire is dealt with by the Welsh Environment Agency.

Elliot Morley: The Environment Agency is a corporate body covering England and Wales. DEFRA sponsors all of the Environment Agency's work in England and the National Assembly for Wales sponsors the Environment Agency's work in Wales.
	The agency has eight regions, seven in England and one in Wales. The operational boundaries of regions are defined by the confines of river catchments. A catchment is an area of land from which the water drains into a particular river. This continues a long-standing policy that originated with the water authorities and was subsequently adopted by one of the agency's predecessor bodies, the National Rivers Authority.
	Herefordshire is located in the Wye River catchment. The River Wye crosses the boundary between England and Wales, but application of the catchment principle requires that the whole river is managed by a single agency operational unit, in this case Environment Agency Wales.
	This means that the whole of the Wye catchment, including a large part of Herefordshire, is managed on a day-to-day operational basis by staff working for Environment Agency Wales. However, the first and main point of contact with the agency for those living anywhere in Herefordshire is the Upper Severn Area of the agency's midlands region.

Bovine TB

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress has been made towards the development of a bovine TB vaccine.

Elliot Morley: DEFRA's ultimate aim is to produce an effective vaccine for cattle to protect against bovine tuberculosis, and it is spending over 1.4 million a year on this. DEFRA recently announced that the sequence of the entire genoma of the organism that causes bovine tuberculosis has been determined in a collaborative project between the Veterinary Laboratories Agency (UK), the Institut Pasteur (France) and the Pathogen Genome Sequencing Unit at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute (UK). This breakthrough is a major step forward in the long-term search for a vaccine against bovine TB and more rapid diagnostic testing. However, the Independent Scientific Group for Cattle TB (ISG) advise that this would offer a solution only in the long term.

Bovine TB

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress has been made towards the completion of the scientific badger culling trial; when the trial will be completed; and what preliminary results have been obtained.

Elliot Morley: Field operations associated with the badger culling trial were suspended during the foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreak, because of the risk of the disease being carried by field operatives onto agricultural land, and because of the diversion of resources. Surveying resumed in January, with trapping under way on 1 May. The Independent Scientific Group for Cattle TB (ISG) has considered the impact of FMD on the trial and advised that the delivery of results will only be delayed by 34 months, to late 2004 or early 2005.
	The ISG advise that it is to early for an analysis of results so far. It is a basic rule for scientific trials that results are not published prematurely. It has, however, been possible to complete a preliminary analysis of the risk factors associated with cattle TB and this is set out in the ISG's third annual report, copies of which are available in the House Library.

Bovine TB

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the possibility of bovine TB being transferred to humans; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 2 July 2002
	There are estimated to be about 4050 cases of Mycobacterium bovis (bovine TB) in humans each year in Great Britain. Most of these cases are either contracted abroad or result from the reactivation of M. bovis acquired in the past.
	Public health safeguards have been in existence for many years to minimise the risk of people being exposed to bovine TB through meat, milk or dairy products. It is possible that some cases of bovine TB may have occurred in people who have a close association with infected animals. The HSE has published guidance for farm workers on minimising the risk of infection.
	Regular meetings are held between Government Departments to monitor the potential for bovine TB to infect humans through the UK food chain and other zoonotic routes.

Common Agricultural Policy

Richard Spring: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the Government's assessment is of the effect of its CAP reform proposals on common agricultural policy spending (a) for the United Kingdom and (b) for the European Union (i) as it stands and (ii) after the accession of the 10 candidate countries to the European Union in 2004.

Elliot Morley: The effects of CAP reform on national and European spending depends on the detail and extent of the reform. We expect the European Commission to publish proposals for reform of the CAP on 10 July. We would expect any proposals to respect the budget ceilings set out in the Financial Perspective.

Milk

Gillian Merron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to promote awareness of the school milk subsidy scheme among primary schools in (a) Lincolnshire and (b) England.

Elliot Morley: In addition to campaigns by the dairy sector, the Rural Payments Agency regularly sends out guidance on the scheme to local education authorities.

Milk

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will hold a meeting with representatives from dairy farmers and buyers regarding the price of milk.

Elliot Morley: The price that milk purchasers pay farmers for their milk is a commercial matter in which the Government cannot become involved. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State therefore has no plans to meet representatives of dairy farmers and milk buyers specifically to discuss this issue. However, Ministers frequently meet with representatives from all parts of the dairy sector in the course of their duties, do discuss the overall market situation, and are aware of the concern caused by the current low prices. The Government have therefore actively supported measures taken in Brussels to support EU markets for milk and milk products and to encourage exports.

Countryside and Rights of Way Act

Tony Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress she has made in the management of access and systems to ensure that members of the public are informed of their rights and responsibilities if the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 is implemented on a regional basis.

Alun Michael: Section 20 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 requires the Countryside Agency to issue codes of conduct for the guidance of walkers and land managers about their rights and obligations on access land.
	The agency is also revising the Country Code and consulting widely on its content. The agency plans to relaunch the Code, to contain guidance both to walkers and land managers about access under the Act and more generally, in the summer of 2003.
	I am currently considering whether it will be possible to opt for a regional roll-out of the right of access and to manage the implementation of arrangements for informing people of their rights and responsibilities accordingly.

Countryside and Rights of Way Act

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the workings of the Access to the Countryside legislation, with particular reference to farm land.

Alun Michael: The Countryside Agency is consulting on draft maps of open country and registered common land on a rolling, regional, programme. Following the consultation on each draft map, the agency will then issue a provisional map, and land managers will have an opportunity to appeal to the Secretary of State if they object to the mapping of any land as open country or registered common land.
	In addition to mapping, there are practical issues which must be addressed, such as managing access and ensuring that members of the public and land managers are properly informed of their rights and responsibilities. We are working closely with the Countryside Agency and other bodies to ensure that appropriate measures are put in place before the right of access is commenced in any area.

Flood Defence

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the last assessment of the relative risks and priorities in regard to the categorisation of watercourses in England took place; and when she intends to review this categorisation to determine responsibilities for flood defence measures based on the current assessment of the severity of the flood risk issues and their relative priority.

Elliot Morley: Watercourses in England are classed either as main river or ordinary watercourses. The Environment Agency has permissive powers to undertake flood defence works on main rivers while for ordinary watercourses similar powers rest with the relevant operating authority, ie the local authority or, where one exists, the internal drainage board.
	In 1999 the Government published a series of high level targets for flood and coastal defence, alongside an elaboration of the Environment Agency's general flood defence supervisory duty. Following this, work has been undertaken to identify critical ordinary watercourses which are those watercourses agreed between the Environment Agency and the relevant operating authority as presenting a significant flood risk. The Environment Agency has also been working with the operating authorities to ensure that these watercourses and any related flood defences are regularly inspected and their condition reported to the Environment Agency.
	We recently consulted on a Review of Flood and Coastal Defence Funding including a number of options for streamlining the service. These included the possibility of transferring to the EA responsibility for watercourses presenting the most significant flood risk. We have received nearly 300 responses to the consultation, and will be considering these and our conclusions through the summer and autumn.

Flood Defence

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which of the high level targets for flooding and coastal defence her Department (a) met within the stated objective date, (b) has met and (c) has still to achieve.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 3 July 2002
	The high level targets (HLT) published in November 1999 apply to the Environment Agency and other bodies. No targets apply to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. The targets generally require the Environment Agency and others to report on specific issues at specific times. Unfortunately reports due in 2001 were delayed because resources had to be diverted during the serious and widespread flooding in autumn 2000 and to deal with follow-up work.
	Reports covering the 200102 period were published on 24 May 2002 for: HLT 1 (Policy statements); HLT 2 (Provision of Flood Warnings); HLT 3 (Emergency exercises and emergency plans) and HLT 9 (Biodiversity). I expect shortly to be able to publish reports for HLT 2 (due April 2002) and HLT 5 (Flood defence inspections and assessment).
	On other targets, the National Flood and Coastal Defence Database (HLT 4) is now expected to become operational by September. Coastal groups have provided partial responses under HLTs 6, 8 and 13 and we are working with them to secure fuller and timely compliance in future. Information has been forthcoming from operating authorities under HLT 7, and the Association of Drainage Authorities have issued guidance to IDBs under HLT 14, though this was delayed by factors beyond the Association's control.
	The Environment Agency are still awaiting submissions for the targets 10, 11 and 12, and reports will be published in coming months. While there might be some residual delay following the impact of the autumn 2000 floods, I hope to achieve rather more timely publication in future.

Air Quality

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether her Department's latest modelling shows that the objectives of the 1997 National Air Quality Strategy will be achieved for each of the eight pollutants named in the strategy under current policies.

Michael Meacher: holding answer 1 July 2002
	Our latest modelling suggests that, for five out of the eight named pollutants (carbon monoxide, lead, benzene, 1,3 butadiene, and sulphur dioxide), we are broadly on track to meet the objectives set out in the 1997 National Air Quality Strategy. In respect of three pollutants, however, (particles, ozone and nitrogen dioxide) there are some parts of the country which are at risk of exceeding the objectives originally proposed in the 1997 strategy.
	Many of the objectives of the 1997 National Air Quality Strategy have been tightened or amended in recent years, in the light of on-going policy and scientific developments. Details of our latest objectives together with modelled forecasts for each pollutant, are set out in the January 2000 Air Quality Strategy for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and also in the September 2001 consultation document on proposed new air quality objectives for particles, carbon monoxide, benzene and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). These documents are both available via the DEFRA website at http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/airquality/ index.htm.

Air Quality

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the recommended standard is for each of the eight pollutants named in the National Air Quality Strategy; and whether the standards for each pollutant were breached in (a) the UK and (b) London in the last recorded year of monitoring.

Michael Meacher: holding answer 1 July 2002
	The standards for each of the eight pollutants in the Air Quality Strategy are given in Table 1a. The strategy is advised by the Expert Panel on Air Quality Standards (EPAQS), which recommends health based ambient air quality standards on which objectives will generally be based. Standards represent the concentrations of pollutants in the atmosphere which can broadly be taken to achieve a certain level of environmental quality. They are based on assessment of the effects of each pollutant on human health including the effects on sensitive subgroups. The Air Quality Strategy also incorporates objectives which are policy targets generally expressed as a maximum ambient concentration to be achieved, taking account of the costs and benefits, and the feasibility and practicability of moving towards the standards. These are given in Table 1b.
	
		Table 1a: Air Quality Strategy standards (2000)
		
			 Pollutant Concentration Standard measured as 
		
		
			 Nitrogen dioxide 200 micrograms per metre cubed(30) 1 hour mean 
			  40 micrograms per metre cubed(30) Annual mean 
			 Sulphur dioxide 266 micrograms per metre cubed(30) 15 minute mean 
			  350 micrograms per metre cubed 1 hour mean 
			  125 micrograms per metre cubed(30) 24 hour mean 
			 Particulate matter (PM 1  0 ) 50 micrograms per metre cubed(30) 24 hour mean 
			  40 micrograms per cubic metre(30) Annual mean 
			 Ozone 100 micrograms per cubic metre(30) Running 8 hour mean 
			 Carbon monoxide 11.6 milligrams per metre cubed(30) Running 8 hour mean 
			 Benzene 16.25 micrograms per metre cubed(30) Running annual mean 
			 1,3-butadiene 2.25 micrograms per metre cubed(30) Running annual mean 
			 Lead 0.5 micrograms per metre cubed(30) Annual mean 
			  0.25 micrograms per metre cubed(30) Annual mean 
		
	
	
		Table 1b: Air Quality Strategy objectives (2000)
		
			 Pollutant Concentration Measured as Date to be achieved by 
		
		
			 Nitrogen dioxide 200 micrograms per metre cubed, not to be exceeded more than 18 times per year Hourly mean 31 December 2005 
			  40 micrograms per metre cubed Annual mean 31 December 2005 
			 Sulphur dioxide 266 micrograms per metre cubed(30), not to be exceeded more than 35 times per year 15 minute mean 31 December 2005 
			  125 micrograms per metre cubed, not to be exceeded more than three times per year 24 hour mean 31 December 2004 
			  350 micrograms per metre cubed, not to exceeded more than 24 times per year 1 hour mean 31 December 2004 
			 Particulate matter (PM 1  0 ) 50 micrograms per metre cubed(30), not to be exceeded more than 35 times per year 24 hour mean 31 December 2004 
			  40 micrograms per metre cubed Annual mean 31 December 2004 
			 Ozone(30) 100 micrograms per metre cubed(30), not to be exceeded more than 10 times per year Running 8 hour mean 31 December 2005 
			 Carbon monoxide 11.6 milligrams per metre cubed(30) Running 8 hour mean 31 December 2003 
			 Benzene 16.25 micrograms per metre cubed(30) Running annual mean 31 December 2003 
			 1,3-butadiene 2.25 micrograms per metre cubed(30) Running annual mean 31 December 2003 
			 Lead 0.5 micrograms per metre cubed Annual mean 31 December 2004 
			  0.25 micrograms per metre cubed Annual mean 31 December 2008 
		
	
	(30) The objective for ozone is not in regulations for the purposes of local air quality management due to the transboundary nature of this pollutant.
	There are 122 automatic air quality monitoring sites in the UK national monitoring networks and of these 24 are in London. All data are reported in the National Air Quality Archive (www.airquality.co.uk). The number of sites in the UK and in London which breached each of the standards and objectives are given in Table 2.
	
		Table 2: The number of sites in the UK and London which breached each of the standards and objectives
		
			Number of automatic sites exceeding Air Quality Strategy standard in 2001  
			 Pollutant Air Quality Strategy standards UK(32) London 
		
		
			 Nitrogen dioxide Hourly mean, 200 micrograms per metre cubed(31) 22 5 
			  Annual mean, 40 micrograms per metre cubed(31) 32 automatic and 251 non-automatic sites 18 automatic and 24 non-automatic sites 
			 Sulphur dioxide 15 minute mean, 266 micrograms per metre cubed(31) 17 2 
			  1 hour mean, 350 micrograms per metre cubed 2 0 
			  24 hour mean, 125 micrograms per metre cubed(31) 1 automatic and 8 non-automatic sites 0 automatic and 0 non-automatic sites 
			 Particulate matter (PM 1  0 ) 24 hour mean, 50 micrograms per cubic metre(31) 47 12 
			  Annual mean, 40 micrograms per metre cubed 1 1 
			 Ozone Running 8 hour mean, 100 micrograms per cubic metre(31) 69 12 
			 Carbon monoxide Running 8 hour mean, 11.6 milligrams per metre cubed(31) 0 0 
			 Benzene Running annual mean, 16.25 micrograms per metre cubed(31) 0 0 
			 1,3-butadiene Running annual mean, 2.25 micrograms per metre cubed(31) 0 0 
			 Lead Annual mean, 0.5 micrograms per metre cubed(31) 0 0 
			  Annual mean, 0.25 micrograms per metre cubed 0 0 
		
	
	
		
			Number of automatic sites exceeding Air Quality Strategy objective in 2001  
			 Pollutant Air Quality Strategy objectives UK(32) London 
		
		
			 Nitrogen dioxide Hourly mean, 200 micrograms per metre cubed not to be exceeded more than 18 time per year 4 1 
			  Annual mean, 40 micrograms per metre cubed not to be exceeded 32 automatic and 251 non-automatic sites 18 automatic and 24 non-automatic sites 
			 Sulphur dioxide 15 minute mean, 266 micrograms per metre cubed not to be exceeded more than 35 times per year 1 0 
			  1 hour mean, 350 micrograms per metre cubed not to be exceeded more than 24 times per year 0 0 
			  24 hour mean, 125 micrograms per metre cubed not to be exceeded more than three times per year 1 automatic and 4 non-automatic sites 0 automatic and 0 non-automatic sites 
			 Particulate matter (PM 1  0 ) 24 hour mean, 50 micrograms per cubic metre not to be exceeded more than 35 times per year 6 1 
			  Annual mean, 40 micrograms per metre cubed not to be exceeded 1 1 
			 Ozone Running 8 hour mean, 100 micrograms per cubic metre not to be exceeded more than 10 times per year 36 7 
			 Carbon monoxide Running 8 hour mean, 11.6 milligrams per metre cubed not to be exceeded 0 0 
			 Benzene Running annual mean, 16.25 micrograms per metre cubed not to be exceeded 0 0 
			 1,3-butadiene Running annual mean, 2.25 micrograms per metre cubed not to be exceeded 0 0 
			 Lead Annual mean, 0.5 micrograms per metre cubed not to be exceeded 0 0 
			  Annual mean, 0.25 micrograms per metre cubed not to be exceeded 0 0 
		
	
	(31) The objective for ozone is not in regulations for the purposes of local air quality management due to the transboundary nature of this pollutant.
	(32) Total number of sites in the UK exceeding the standard (ie London plus rest of UK)

Arable Farm Prices

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on recent trends in arable farm prices.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 2 July 2002
	The table shows price patterns for arable crops over the period May 2001 to May 2002, one month more than a year to allow comparison for the maincrop potato where the season end is May. Here follows the explanation of the price trends.
	Bread making wheat prices have fallen by around 4 per cent. between May 2001 and May 2002. Domestic demand has been flat and any short term supply difficulties have been met by imports from the EU.
	Feed wheat prices have declined by around 12 per cent. over the last year with the most marked fall since February 2002. Markets have come under increasing pressure from cheap Black sea eg Ukrainian supplies.
	Feed barley prices have been affected by falling wheat prices and limited trade on the domestic market. Overall they have declined by 19 per cent. over the period May 2001 to May 2002.
	Maincrop potato prices have declined by 20 per cent. since the start of the current maincrop season in August 2001 and by 47 per cent. compared to the end of the 200001 season in May 2001. The fall in prices can be attributed to supplies outstripping demand. There is a large price difference between the poorest and best quality stock.
	Early potatoes are not shown on the table as at this point in 2002 there is no monthly representative data, however weekly information provides an indication. For the 2001 early season (June and July), prices were considerably higher than during 1999 and 2000 due to strong demand and poor weather restricting supplies. Early indications for 2002 suggest a likely fall in prices due to large volumes of imports. The latest provisional weekly prices (1420 June) show the prices 98 per cent. and 30 per cent. higher than the equivalent weeks in 1999 and 2000 but 53 per cent. lower than in 2001.
	
		/tonne 
		
			 Date Bread making wheat Feed wheat Feed barley Maincrop potatoes 
		
		
			 May 2001 84.86 76.48 72.02 159.12 
			 June 2001 88.18 76.56 71.73 (33) 
			 July 2001 86.05 75.19 66.96 (33) 
			 August 2001 88.72 75.38 65.22 105.86 
			 September 2001 91.04 76.71 66.99 84.89 
			 October 2001 89.87 76.27 65.69 79.01 
			 November 2001 89.89 77.05 65.51 81.87 
			 December 2001 89.94 76.75 67.44 84.32 
			 January 2002 90.79 76.84 68.07 91.59 
			 February 2002 91.23 76.23 67.02 93.47 
			 March 2002 87.05 72.45 63.67 93.34 
			 April 2002 84.09 68.75 59.75 89.26 
			 May 2002 81.23 67.46 58.26 84.73 
		
	
	(33) Out of season

Farm Diversification

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on progress made on farm diversification.

Alun Michael: It is a Government policy priority to help farmers to consider diversifying the economic base of their businesses. This accords with views on farm diversification emerging from the Policy Commission on the Future of Farming and Food.
	To help achieve this policy aim DEFRA provides grants under the Rural Enterprise Scheme, which forms part of the England Rural Development Programme. Since the scheme's launch in October 2000, over 200 diversification projects have been approved and awarded nearly 9 million in funding. The Department also offers assistance in the form of free planning consultancy advice to farmers who intend to pursue an eligible diversification project through the Rural Enterprise Scheme and we are considering how to improve the provision of help and information to farmers considering diversifying their business. Our Rural Development Service has been running successful business planning seminars in a number of the regions.
	There are many types of farm business and no single approach will be appropriate. The Rural Enterprise Scheme is just one of a number of measures under the England Rural Development Programme, including agri-environment schemes, aid for conversion to organic farming, grants for processing and marketing of agricultural products, farm woodlands, energy crops and vocational training.

Curry Report

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what economic assessment she has made of the implementation of the Curry report.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 3 July 2002
	The Policy Commission estimated that implementing its recommendations would cost approximately 500 million over three years. However, the cost of many of the recommendations will depend upon the precise way in which they are implemented. The Government intend to produce a strategy for sustainable food and farming in England in the autumn, following a wide-ranging process of stakeholder engagement. This strategy will incorporate a definitive response to each of the Policy Commission's recommendations, although not all of these fall to, or involve expenditure by Government.

Farming Techniques

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the Government have done to encourage farmers to adopt more wildlife-friendly farming techniques.

Elliot Morley: The Department and its agencies have a variety of mechanisms to promote more wildlife-friendly farming among farmers. The two largest instruments are the Countryside Stewardship and Environmentally Sensitive Areas schemes. These offer farmers and other land managers payments to assist them in the protection and enhancement or the rural environment.
	Other measures include:
	Wildlife Enhancement Agreements (administered by English Nature on Sites of Special Scientific Interest);
	environmental measures attached to the Organic Farming scheme;
	cross-compliance measures to ensure good environmental management of set-aside land to tackle over-grazing and inappropriate supplementary feeding of livestock;
	delivery of free conservation advice to farmers, focusing especially on priority Biodiversity Action Plan species and habitats;
	a biodiversity and conservation management research programme worth over 2 million a year.

Animal Welfare

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what legislation is in place to control the welfare of (a) livestock and (b) other species.

Elliot Morley: The following is a list of primary legislation in England and Wales relating to the welfare of livestock and other animals (the list excludes secondary legislation and EU directives):
	Night Poaching Act 1828
	Game Act 1831 (and amendments)
	Night Poaching Act 1844
	Hares Act 1848
	Game Licences Act 1860
	Poaching Prevention Act 1862
	Ground Game Act 1880 (and amendments)
	Protection of Animals Act 1911 (and amendments)
	Performing Animals (Regulation) Act 1925
	Protection of Animals Act 1934
	Cinematograph Films (Animals) Act 1937
	Docking and Nicking of Horses Act 1949
	Pet Animals Act 1951 and amendment 1983
	Cockfighting Act 1952
	Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953
	Protection of Animals (Anaesthetics) Act 1954
	Abandonment of Animals Act 1960
	Animals (Cruel Poisons) Act 1962
	Animal Boarding Establishments Act 1963
	Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966
	Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1968
	Riding Establishments Acts 1964 and 1970
	Conservation of Seals Act 1970
	Animals Act 1971
	Breeding of Dogs Acts 1973 and 1991
	Guard Dogs Act 1975
	Farriers (Registration) Act 1975 and amendment 1977
	Agricultural (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976
	Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976
	Animal Health Act 1981 (and amendments)
	Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (and amendments)
	Zoo Licensing Act 1981
	Animal Health and Welfare Act 1984
	Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986
	Protection Against Cruel Tethering Act 1988
	Deer Act 1991
	Protection of Badgers Act 1992
	Wild Mammals (Protection) Act 1996
	Breeding and Sale of Dogs (Welfare) Act 1999.

Livestock Movements

Colin Pickthall: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether she intends to change the 20 day standstill rule on livestock movements in time for autumn sales.

Elliot Morley: No decision will be made until the recommendations of the Royal Society and Lessons Learned Inquiries have been published. There is firm veterinary and scientific advice in support of the present 20 day standstill as a means of helping protect against the rapid spread of any new incursion of disease. We are in discussion with industry representatives about the economic impact of the present standstill rule.

Wye Navigation Order

Jim Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make an announcement about the Wye Navigation Order.

Elliot Morley: The Environment Agency has applied for an Order under the Transport and Works Act 1992 making it the navigation authority for the River Wye. A public inquiry into the application was held in 1997 following which further detailed representations were made. After careful consideration the Minister responsible my noble Friend the Lord Whitty has decided to accept the Inspector's recommendation and, with the agreement of the National Assembly for Wales, make the Order. A copy of the decision letter has been placed in the Library of the House.

Departmental Communications

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will calculate (a) how many and (b) at what total cost circulars were issued by her Department in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

Elliot Morley: DEFRA was created in June 2001. Obtaining information prior to this date would incur disproportionate cost.
	Records show that up to the end of the 2001 financial year the departmental publicity and publications section produced 418 circulars/information documents, 225 forms targeted at the farming community and ancillary organisations and 38 consultation papers. The total cost of this was 2,012,886 of which 831,049 covered the cost of delivery of these items by mail.

Affordable Homes

Sue Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many affordable homes (a) were built and (b) are estimated to be built in (i) deep rural and (ii) mixed rural areas in each year from 1996 to 2016.

Tony McNulty: I have been asked to reply.
	Available information on affordable housing units completed by social landlords since 199697 in local authority districts classified as either deep or mixed rural are presented in the following table.
	
		New affordable housing units completed: England
		
			   199697 199798 199899 19992000 200001 200102 
		
		
			 Deep rural authorities   
			 Local authority 37 16 1 18 2 n/a 
			 Registered Social Landlords 851 2,022 1,541 1,462 1,280 1,121 
			 Total new affordable housing units 888 2,038 1,542 1,480 1,282 n/a 
			
			 Mixed Rural authorities   
			 Local authority 84 57 36 1 62 n/a 
			 Registered Social Landlords 3,047 6,599 5,945 4,849 4,722 3,965 
			 Total new affordable housing units 3,131 6,656 5,981 4,850 4,784 n/a 
			
			 All Rural authorities   
			 Local authority 121 73 37 19 64 n/a 
			 Registered Social Landlords 3,898 8,621 7,486 6,311 6,002 5,086 
			 Total new affordable housing units 4,019 8,694 7,523 6,330 6,066 n/a 
		
	
	Notes:
	Registered Social Landlord (RSL) completions represent units funded through the Housing Corporation's Approved Development Programme and/or via local authorities with Local Authority Social Housing Grant (LASHG).
	Affordable housing schemes by RSLs comprise those for rent (including Tariff, and Mixed Funded schemes); temporary social housing schemes (including MiniHag, and short-life housing); and shared or outright ownership schemes (including leasehold for the elderly). RSL schemes will include off-the-shelf purchases from private developers, and other
	additions to RSL stock through acquisition and refurbishment.
	Sources:
	LA new-build from DTLR housing activity monthly P2 returns.
	RSL provision from Housing Corporation returns.
	No precise information on affordable homes constructed without public funding is available. Provisional data covering 200001 were collected as part of the Housing Investment Programme Statistical Appendices for the first time last year, but returns were incomplete. We have made changes to this year's return to encourage more complete reporting.
	Central Government does not make long-term forecasts of affordable housing build. We expect local authorities to plan to meet the housing requirements of the whole community including those in need of affordable housing.
	The Government recognise the importance of affordable housing in maintaining balanced and successful rural communities, and is doubling the size of the Housing Corporation's programme to deliver affordable housing in small rural settlements (with a population of 3,000 or less), from 800 in 200001 to 1,600 homes a year by 200304. We expect to deliver around 9,000 affordable homes annually in rural areas by 200304, including the 1,600 in small rural settlements.

Hazardous Freight

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what (a) hazardous and (b) radioactive material has been transported through the Portsmouth, South constituency by road on a regular basis in the last year; and if she will make a statement.

David Jamieson: I have been asked to reply.
	Information of this nature is not held by the Department.

Illegal Waste

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what advertising campaigns (a) have taken place and (b) are planned by (i) her Department, (ii) the Environment Agency and (iii) other Government bodies in relation to tackling problems from (A) litter, (B) fly tipping, (C) abandoned vehicles and (D) other waste disposed by illegal means; how much these have cost; what assessment has been made of their effect; and if she will make a statement.

Michael Meacher: The Department grant funds the environmental charity, Environmental Campaigns (ENCAMS), which runs the Keep Britain Tidy campaign. Last year ENCAMS ran anti-litter advertising campaigns targeted at drivers who throw litter from cars, and adolescents. The latter campaign used pop stars, soap personalities and footballers to convey the message that it is not cool to litter. ENCAMS also initiated a clean up campaign targeted at those who drop litter in and around football grounds using Michael Owen and other famous footballers to get the message acrossso far campaigns have been launched at Liverpool and Arsenal football grounds. This year ENCAMS will be launching a campaign directed at fast food litter. This campaign will run in August in cinemas throughout the country. ENCAMS also runs a number of Keep Britain Tidy campaigns throughout the year which get local communities cleaning up their local environment.
	It is primarily the responsibility of local authorities and the Environment Agency to instigate advertising campaigns in relation to fly tipping and waste disposed of by illegal means. While there is no central list of campaigns by local authorities, the Environment Agency has worked to establish the fly tipping forum which has helped to raise awareness and the profile of the issue. The forum is proposing to organise a seminar specifically relating to fly tipping and waste related crime in the future. In addition, information about fly tipping and advice on what to do in relation to a fly tipping incident can be found on the agency's website at: http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/ business/wasteman/flytip/. The agency has also produced a fly tipping leaflet which gives details of how to report fly tipping incidents.
	DEFRA has not carried out any advertising campaigns in relation to abandoned vehicles, nor is any planned.

Illegal Waste

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what (a) advice and guidance has been given by her Department and (b) legislation is in place with relation to tackling problems from (i) litter, (ii) fly tipping, (iii) abandoned vehicles and (iv) other waste disposed by illegal means; and if she will make a statement.

Michael Meacher: Guidance for dealing with litter is contained in the 1999 DETR Code of Practice on Litter and Refuse. This sets out reasonable and acceptable standards of cleanliness for local authorities and Duty Bodies which they can be expected to meet. Advice for the general public is published by the Tidy Britain Group in their leaflet entitled Litter and the Law. This explains the litter laws and how the public can help to achieve a litter-free local environment.
	The current legislation in place to deal with litter and refuse is contained in the Environmental Protection Act 1990. This makes Duty Bodies responsible for keeping their land clear of litter and refuse. It also gives both local authorities and citizens the right to take legal action to get areas cleaned up.
	The Environment Agency, in conjunction with the fly tipping forum has put together a comprehensive pack of guidance to help various sectors of society to deal with fly tipping. This guidance is available on the Environment Agency website at: http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/ business/wasteman/flytip/.
	Section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 makes it a criminal offence to dispose of waste outside the terms of a Waste Management Licence or a registered exemption from licensing. Section 59 of the same act gives the Environment Agency and local authorities the power to serve notice on the perpetrators of fly tipping, requiring them to remove the waste and pay for the clean up. Local authorities and the Environment Agency are also empowered to effect the removal of fly tipped waste and to recover the costs from those responsible.
	The Department has not given any advice or guidance with relation to tackling problems from abandoned vehicles. The legislation covering abandoned vehicles is contained in the Refuse Disposal (Amenity) Act 1978, the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, the Removal and Disposal of Vehicles Regulations 1986 and the Removal and Disposal of Vehicles (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2002.
	There is no advice given by the Department in relation to waste disposed by illegal meansother than fly tipping. The Environment Agency can also take action to revoke or amend a waste management licence, if waste is deposited outside the conditions of that licence. These provisions are detailed in the Waste Management Licensing Regulations 1994.

Waste Disposal

Sue Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment has been conducted for (a) her Department and (b) the Environment Agency on progress towards meeting the EU Incinerator Directive; and if she will make a statement.

Michael Meacher: On 20 June 2002, I announced in a written answer, Official Report, column 489W, the publication by the Department of a consultation paper setting out how the Government intend to implement Directive 2000/76/EC on the incineration of waste. This followed consideration of the directive's requirements and the refinement of a regulatory impact assessment (which is included as Annexe 1 to the consultation paper). Responses to consultation are requested by 9 September, in the light of which the Department will finalise draft secondary legislation to put before the House.
	In anticipation of the impending implementation of this directive, the Environment Agency has taken the following actions:
	Permits for all new incinerators now incorporate the directive's emission limits. Notices varying the operational conditions for existing municipal waste incinerators were issued earlier this year requiring operators to report on plant performance against the emission standards set out in the directive.
	Detailed guidance on the interpretation of the directive has been drafted in order to help agency staff to apply the directive's requirements in a consistent and transparent manner.
	A technical guidance note on waste incineration techniques and their associated emissions has been drafted and placed on the agency's website.

Waste Disposal

Sue Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has had from the (a) European Commission, (b) Environment Agency, (c) Environmental Services Association, (d) waste management companies, (e) industry and (f) others on the EU Waste Incineration Directive; and if she will make a statement.

Michael Meacher: The former Department for Environment, Transport and the Regions conducted extensive consultations with these organisations during negotiations of the draft directive on the incineration of waste. The Department announced on 20 June 2002 the publication of a consultation paper setting out how the Government intend to implement the resulting directive (2000/76/EC) and inviting, by 9 September, responses from regulators, trade associations, industry and any other organisations or individuals with an interest. At this early point in the consultation period, no response has been received.

Waste Disposal

Sue Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what discussions she had had with (a) the European Commission and (b) others regarding the Waste Acceptance Criteria; what the status of the timetable for implementation is; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  what representations she has received regarding the Waste Acceptance Criteria; and if she will make a statement.

Michael Meacher: The waste acceptance criteria have been discussed at length with the Commission and other member states at a series of regular meetings of the Landfill Sub-Committee of the Committee for the Adaption to Scientific and Technical Progress of EC Legislation on Waste held since 1999.
	These negotiations have been shadowed by a consultation group comprising representatives of the Environment Agency. Government Departments, the devolved Administrations, the waste management industry and waste producers. The representations made by members of the group have formed a valuable input into the development of the UK's negotiating position on the waste acceptance criteria.
	The Commission have now finalised and circulated a draft decision setting out criteria and procedures for the acceptance of waste at landfills. This will be voted on at a meeting of the Committee for the Adaption to Scientific and Technical Progress of EC Legislation on Waste in Brussels on 23 July 2002. The draft decision document requires the waste acceptance criteria to be transposed into domestic legislation by July 2004 and implemented by July 2005.

Waste Disposal

Sue Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research (a) has been conducted and (b) is planned for her Department on the (i) healthy, (ii) environmental and (iii) other impacts of (A) emissions from incinerators and (B) dioxins in incinerator ash; and if she will make a statement.

Michael Meacher: Emissions: The Environment Agency is currently conducting a 'Human Health Review of Incineration and Combustion Techniques' which is looking at the health impacts of emissions and a number of combustion processes including incineration.
	Dioxins in incinerator ash: The Environment Agency has conducted an investigation into the composition, destination and use of residues from the 11 Municipal Solid Waste Incinerators in England. This includes analyses of dioxin levels in the residues, and assessments as to the environmental and health risks involved. The Agency's report has now been published and copies will be placed in the Library of the House.
	Planned research: With the involvement of the Department of Health and the devolved Administrations, my Department recently hosted a seminar to identify the research needs of all waste management options, including incineration.

Waste Disposal

Sue Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs who is responsible for (a) testing and (b) monitoring (i) incinerator ash and (ii) incinerator emissions; and if she will make a statement.

Michael Meacher: Operators are responsible for testing and monitoring incinerator emissions (including incinerator ash) and demonstrating compliance with assessment criteria specified by the regulator. The Environment Agency regulates all municipal waste incinerators (MWIs) with a capacity of 1 tonne per hour or greater. Local authorities regulate MWIs with a capacity less than 1 tonne per hour.
	The Environment Agency carries out independent monitoring of emissions at least once a year. The agency also checks the operator's monitoring procedures and findings using a formal audit procedure.

Food Safety

Laura Moffatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Education and Skills to ensure that sufficient numbers of environmental health officers are being trained to oversee food safety.

Hazel Blears: I have been asked to reply.
	Food safety is the responsibility of the Food Standards Agency. I am advised by the agency that its board has expressed concern about the recruitment and retention problems being faced by local authorities. It requested officials to discuss the issues with other relevant stakeholders to look for ways to improve the situation and to help ensure continued provision of effective food law enforcement services. The matter is to be considered again in detail at the board's meeting on 11 July 2002.

Food Safety

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to commission an audit of the uses of sheep and goat products in (a) food and (b) non-food products.

Hazel Blears: I have been asked to reply.
	I am advised by the Food Standards Agency that the board of the agency endorsed a report on BSE and sheep from a group of stakeholders at its meeting on 13 June in Armagh. It contained a recommendation that the agency, with other Government Departments, should commission a full audit of the uses of sheep and goat products in food and non-food products. The agency will now take forward its share of the work and approach the other Departments involved.

Foot and Mouth

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures have been taken since the foot and mouth epidemic to ensure that if another outbreak were to occur it could be efficiently dealt with.

Elliot Morley: DEFRA has produced an interim contingency plan for foot and mouth disease in consultation with some key stakeholders and operational partners. The interim contingency plan builds on the existing plan (which is required by EC Directive 90/423) and codifies experiences and lessons learned from the recent outbreak. However, it does not seek to pre-judge the results of the official inquiries into the last outbreak. All plans will be comprehensively reviewed as a result of any recommendations made by the official inquiries.
	A programme of testing through simulation exercises is planned for the future. Stakeholders at both national and local level will be invited to be involved in the programme.
	A number of restrictions on animal movements remain in place as a means of helping protect against the rapid spread of any new incursion of disease, and measures have been taken to improve standards of biosecurity in livestock markets and shows. These arrangements also will be reviewed in the light of the recommendations of the official inquiries.

Foot and Mouth

Eric Martlew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what action she is taking to implement the NAO recommendation on the continued close environmental monitoring and inspection of foot and mouth disposal sites and the publication and reflection in her Department's contingency plans of the results.

Elliot Morley: The Department is working closely with the Environment Agency (EA) to ensure that FMD disposal sites are effectively monitored. Up until the end of March 2002, the EA managed a programme of environmental monitoring in the areas worst affected by the outbreak. DEFRA has now taken over responsibility for this interim monitoring programme and has recently issued a tender for the sampling and analysis of selected sites throughout England and Wales.
	The Department also intends to commission individual site-specific risk assessments for each carcase and ash disposal site. These assessments will be made available to the EA, who will review the environmental risk and Groundwater Authorisations. Based on the results of these risk assessments, the Department will then commission a targeted monitoring programme to ensure that any potential longer-term environmental impacts are identified.
	In addition to this monitoring programme, each of the mass burial sites has its own comprehensive monitoring programme with regular reporting to DEFRA and the EA. The agency also carries out audit monitoring. Watchtree has 68 monitoring boreholes, Tow Law 32, Throckmorton 28 and Widdrington six. These boreholes are at varying distances from the cells and samples are taken, in some cases at several different depths. The Environment Agency is sampling stream springs and watercourses in the vicinity of the mass burial sites. No pollution from carcase disposal has been detected to date.
	The need for formal risk assessments to be undertaken prior to the burial of carcases or ash is being incorporated into departmental operational guidance.

EU Committees (Scottish Executive Representation)

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the EU Committee on the control of major accident hazards involving dangerous substances (Seveso II) is next due to meet; whether experts nominated by the Scottish Executive (a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement.

David Jamieson: I have been asked to reply.
	The Committee of Competent Authorities (CCA) next meeting, which will be its eighth, will be held in Odense, Denmark, from 16 to 18 October 2002. The UK delegation will be headed by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), and will include others, also from HSE and the Environment Agency (EA). Matters relating to Scottish representation at such meetings should be raised with the Scottish Executive.

EU Committees (Scottish Executive Representation)

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the EU Committee for the adaptation to technical and scientific progress of the Directive on the prevention and reduction of environmental pollution by asbestos is next due to meet; whether experts nominated by the Scottish Executive (a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement.

Michael Meacher: There are currently no plans for the EU Committee for the adaptation to technical and scientific progress of the Directive on the prevention and reduction of environmental pollution by asbestos to meet. The UK representation on this committee depends on the agenda items under discussion. Officials from the Scottish Executive and other devolved Administrations attend as necessary in accordance with their interests.

EU Committees (Scottish Executive Representation)

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the EU Committee on agricultural structures and rural development is next due to meet; whether experts nominated by the Scottish Executive (a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement.

Alun Michael: The EU Committee on agricultural structures and rural development is next due to meet on 24 July 2002. UK representation may vary according to the agenda for each meeting and may include members of the Scottish Executive and other devolved Administrations where there are items of sufficient interest. Agendas and papers are routinely circulated to all devolved Administrations in advance of meetings and they also receive reports of matters discussed.

CABINET OFFICE

Recycling

Sue Doughty: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what guidance is given to Government Departments in relation to (a) recycling of waste products, (b) purchase of materials which are recycled, and (c) purchases of materials from renewable sources; what plans there are to change such guidance; and if he will make a statement.

Michael Meacher: I have been asked to reply.
	The Government's policy on these issues is currently set out in the Model Framework for Greening Government Operations, that was issued in 1998 and is on DEFRA's Greening Government website: http://defraweb/environment/ greening/conserve/conserve.htm. This will be replaced by a new Framework for Sustainable Development on the Government Estate that will be rolled out during the current financial year and set targets for all key operational areas of the Government estate, including waste management and procurement.
	The Greening Government website also provides guidance on recycling waste products, e.g. in the Waste GuideAdvice for Government Departments. The procurement page on that site also contains guidance on purchasing recycled materials, e.g. Part 2 of the Green Guide for Buyers contains best practice advice on 'Resource Efficiency' covering the four Rs, and there is specific guidance in Part 3 covering paper and IT equipment. URL: http://defraweb/environment/greening/greenpro/greenpro.htm There are also links to other sources of information such as the Buy Recycled Programme's Products Guide and the Waste Resources Action Programme (WRAP).
	There are plans to revise the Waste Guide. The Secretary of State has also set up a cross-Government Sustainable Procurement Group that will report to Ministers this summer on using the Government's purchasing power to promote sustainable development and encourage innovation and the supply of environmentally preferable goods and services. Their report due in July will, among other things, look at how the Government can increase its purchases of re-manufactured and recycled goods.

LORD CHANCELLOR

Catherine Meyer

Keith Vaz: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when his Department will set up a meeting with hon. Members to discuss the case of Catherine Meyer.

Mike O'Brien: I have been asked to reply.
	My noble Friend Baroness Amos, Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister responsible for consular affairs, would be happy to meet with my hon. Friend to discuss this case.

Catherine Meyer

Keith Vaz: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when her Parliamentary Secretary will meet the hon. Member for Leicester, East to discuss the Catherine Meyer case.

Rosie Winterton: I will meet with the hon. Member for Leicester, East if he wishes. However, the Lord Chancellor's Department has had no involvement in the case since November 1994.

Leicester County Court

Keith Vaz: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what the staffing level is at Leicester county court; and what it was in 1990.

Rosie Winterton: The Department holds records on this which are accurate, back to April 1996.
	The Department employed a total of 57 employees as at 1 June 2002 at Leicester county court. As at 1 April 1996 the Department employed 68 employees.

Land Registry

Keith Vaz: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many staff were employed in the Land Registry in 1990; and how many are employed currently.

Rosie Winterton: On 1 April 1990, the Land Registry employed 10,771 members of staff and on 1 April 2002 it was employing 7,998.

Contact Orders

Margaret Moran: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many contact orders were (a) granted and (b) refused under section 8 of the Children Act 1989 in (i) 1999, (ii) 2000 and (iii) 2001.

Rosie Winterton: The figures sought are published annually in Judicial Statistics.
	
		
			  1999 2000 2001 
		
		
			 Granted 41,862 46,070 55,030 
			 Refused 1,752 1,276 713 
		
	
	Contact orders include ones made for indirect contact or supervised contact, though no breakdown is available.

Regulatory Impact Unit

Vincent Cable: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many members of her Department have been employed in its Regulatory Impact Unit in the past five years; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: Between 1997 and March 2002, one person was employed to co-ordinate work on regulatory impact across LCD, alongside other duties. In April, this increased to two.
	It is the job of departmental Regulatory Impact Units to establish and promote the principles of good regulation in their Departments. The staff in each unit work closely with the officials responsible for developing policies within their Department and the Regulatory Impact Unit within the Cabinet Office. They focus on those regulations that impact on business, charities and the voluntary sector.

Visa Applications

Simon Thomas: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many successful appeals for visa applications there have been from Arab countries since September 1999.

Rosie Winterton: The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost. There are a number of different types of visa and only family visit visa appeals are recorded separately from other immigration appeals. From October 2000 (when the appeal right for such applications was reintroduced) to 31 May 2002 there were 93 successful family visit visa appeals from the nationals of member states of the Arab League. The breakdown by country is as follows:
	Algeria23
	Djibouti1
	Egypt9
	Iraq8
	Jordan1
	Lebanon0
	Libya4
	Mauritania7
	Morocco6
	Oman0
	Somalia5
	Sudan9
	Syria2
	Tunisia5
	Yemen13.
	No appeals were received from nationals of Bahrain, Comoros, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emirates.

Solicitors

Vincent Cable: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what support she is providing to the Law Society to facilitate the prompt reform of those solicitors practice rules identified as anti-competitive by the Director General of Fair Trading; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: Reform of the solicitors practice rules and removal of anti-competitive restrictions therein are matters for the Law Society to take forward. Where there are restrictions in legislation relating to the regulation of solicitors, they fall to Government to consider. As has already been announced, the Government are planning to consult before the summer break on those issues which fall to it arising from the DGFT's report.

Solicitors

Vincent Cable: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what discussions her Department has had with the Law Society in the past 12 months on employed solicitors advising the public, fee-sharing and referral fees; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: Officials from both the Lord Chancellor's Department and from the Department of Trade and Industry have separately held meetings with the Law Society. The DTI has discussed competition issues generally. The LCD has discussed progress relating to those matters highlighted in the Director General of Fair Trading's report, Competition in Professions. The issue of employed solicitors advising the public is one of the matters to be considered in the Government's consultation paper planned for release before the summer break.